Category Archives: Sentencing and Appellate Practice
A Comprehensive Guide to New York’s Second Look Act
The New York Second Look Act is proposed legislation designed to allow individuals incarcerated in New York State prisons to petition for sentence reductions after serving a significant portion of their sentences. Specifically, the act would enable those who have served either ten years or half of their sentence—whichever is less—to apply for a… Read More »
Sentencing Guidelines in New York for Drug Possession and Sale Crimes
Being convicted of a drug offense in New York State, whether for criminal possession of a controlled substance or for the criminal sale of a controlled substance can carry with it a significant sentence. Within those two umbrellas, however, are many different degrees of each crime depending on the type of drug and the… Read More »
Factoring the Horrific Conditions at the Brooklyn MDC in Federal Sentencings
For as long as defense attorneys have been around, they have tried to persuade judges and prosecutors alike to consider the harsh, inhumane, and sometimes unconstitutional conditions faced by clients at federal prisons. While some judges and government attorneys have expressed an understanding for just how bad some prisons may be, for the most… Read More »
Did the Federal Prison Oversight Act Pass?
During July of 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the Federal Prison Oversight Act, which enhances and strengthens independent government oversight of the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons. This follows a major uptick in the systemic corruption, failures and abuse in the federal prison system during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Importance… Read More »
Federal Sentencing Guidelines and “Acquitted Conduct”
The Federal Sentencing Guidelines Since the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker , 543 U.S. 220 (2005), the Sentencing Guidelines have been rendered advisory in nature, leaving sentences to the district court’s discretion, guided by the Guidelines and the other factors contained within 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and bounded by any applicable… Read More »
Federal 4C1.1 “Zero Point” Offenders Reduction: 2 Point Reduction for Federal Inmates
SECTION 4C1.1 OF THE U.S. SENTENCING GUIDELINES CREATES ADJUSTMENT FOR ZERO POINT OFFENDERS Recently, federal legislators passed and enacted a new policy bill to be applied to the United States Sentencing Guidelines – a two-point adjustment for “zero point offenders.” This legislation, codified as Section 4C1.1 is geared towards offenders who have minimal or… Read More »
Direct Appeals
The Attorneys at The Law Office of Jason Goldman Are Polished Appellate Advocates They have strong backgrounds and experience with appellate courts. We have spent years responding to appellate motions, drafting response briefs in both state and federal courts, arguing dozens of appeals before panels of appellate judges, and researching complex questions of criminal… Read More »
Compassionate Release And The First Step Act
Zealous Advocacy to Shorten a Federal Prison Term Compassionate Release COVID-19 has impacted the federal prison system just as much, if not more, as it has all other industries. The Bureau of Prisons has reported tens of thousands of COVID-19 infections and inmate deaths. Even in non-covid times, compassionate release remains an avenue for… Read More »