As a former prosecutor, when I saw that Felicity Huffman received a sentence of 250 hours of community sentence, 14 days jail time, a $30,000 fine and one year’s probation for paying $15,000 to Rick Singer to boost her daughter’s SAT test scores for college entrance, I was outraged but not surprised. Huffman knowingly admitted to paying Singer. She knew her actions were wrong and illegal. Her case was part of the largest college scandal case in history prosecuted by the Justice Department. Actress Lori Loughlin decided to enter a plea of not guilty. She paid $500,000.00 to advance her daughter’s college entrance. Her case is pending. After today’s sentencing, Loughlin may breathe a sigh of relief. White defendants and particularly white celebrity defendants most always get a break in court sentencing. A one -month sentence recommendation by prosecutors is usually never heard of. As a former prosecutor, I recall a minimum jail sentence recommendation by prosecutors is … [Read more...] about Felicity Huffman is the Ultimate Case of White Privilege
sentencing
Supreme Court Hears Case on Why Juveniles Should Not Die in Jail
As a trial lawyer and former prosecutor, I always seek justice and fairness during sentencing hearings. When defending an individual, I argue the merits of a sentence based on the specifics that relate to that person. Everyone is unique in what brings them before the criminal justice system and how the court should sentence them. On Tuesday, the U. S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Henry Montgomery, a Louisiana man with a low IQ of 70, who was convicted as a juvenile for killing a police officer and sentenced to the death penalty almost 50 years ago. His death penalty sentence was overturned in 1969. And he was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Montgomery’s case comes before the U.S. Supreme Court following a 2012 Supreme Court case ruling that those who were juveniles at the time of their offense must be given a sentencing hearing to determine if life without parole is appropriate under their specific circumstances. They … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Hears Case on Why Juveniles Should Not Die in Jail
AG Eric Holder Announces Strides in Sentencing
On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at the Press Club in D.C. and gave what may be one of his last speeches before stepping down. He announced that there have been quantitative strides in his actions taken to reform criminal sentencing in America. Holder realized very early on that the criminal disparities in sentencing in drug cases resulted in African Americans being sentenced to higher sentences and to mandatory minimums. Attorney General Holder stated, “For years prior to this administration, federal prosecutors were not only encouraged – but required – to always seek the most severe prison sentence possible for all drug cases, no matter the relative risk they posed to public safety. I have made a break from that philosophy.” Data compiled by the U.S. Sentencing Commission shows that the efforts made by Holder have helped to dramatically reduce mandatory minimums and to reserve higher and harsher sentencing to more serious offenders. Attorney General Holder’s approach … [Read more...] about AG Eric Holder Announces Strides in Sentencing