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Yesterday, the United States Sentencing Commission issued a press release announcing proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2025. Among the proposals are those that would:
- create an alternative to the “categorical approach” used in the career offender guideline to determine whether a conviction qualifies a defendant for enhanced penalties;
- simplify the “three-step” approach that courts currently use when applying the guidelines;
- address the guidelines’ treatment of devices designed to convert firearms into fully automatic weapons;
- add a mens rea requirement to the sentencing enhancement for use of stolen firearms; and
- resolve certain circuit conflicts regarding guideline application.
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