Blog Posts in June, 2013
Posted on Jun 19, 2013 By Joseph E. Scott
In United States v. Alleyne, a jury convicted Alleyne of "using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence." Based on the Government's choice of the ...
Continue reading "Judicial Found Facts Cannot Increase Mandatory Minimums" »
Posted on Jun 17, 2013 By Joseph E. Scott
Few areas of law are as sensitive as sex crimes involving minors. These offenses often carry harsh sentences in addition to a stigma that can haunt convicted offenders, guilty or innocent, for life. ...
Continue reading "Child Pornography and Federal Sentencing" »
Posted on Jun 12, 2013 By Joseph E. Scott
On Friday, May 17, 2013, in US v. Blewett, a split Sixth Circuit held that the reduced mandatory minimum crack sentences set out in the Fair Sentencing Act (FSA) of 2010 must be applied even to those ...
Continue reading "All Crack Sentences Must be Fair Says the Sixth Circuit" »
Posted on Jun 5, 2013 By Joseph E. Scott
In Maryland v. King, the United States Supreme Court upheld the taking of a DNA sample, using a buccal swab, from a suspect's cheek, whose arrest for an unrelated "serious offense" was ...
Continue reading "DNA Can Be Taken Without A Warrant" »
Posted on Jun 3, 2013 By Joseph E. Scott
On April 19, 2013, there were three important amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Rules of Evidence of which all practitioners in federal criminal ...
Continue reading "Are You Aware of the Recent Federal Rule Changes?" »