How Does Amendment 821 Change Sentencing for Drug Offenses?

How Does Amendment 821 Change Sentencing for Drug Offenses?

Amendment 821 is a new set of guidelines passed by the United States Sentencing Commission that will change how federal judges sentence people convicted of drug offenses. This amendment, which goes into effect on November 1, 2023, makes two major changes that could lead to shorter prison sentences for many drug offenders, especially those with minimal criminal histories convicted of low-level offenses.I know a lot of folks are hoping this amendment could help get sentences reduced for themselves or their loved ones. So let‘s break down exactly what Amendment 821 does, who it could help, and how you can go about trying to get a sentence reduction under the new rules. I’ll try to explain it in simple terms, using examples and practical tips so you understand how it works.

What Does Amendment 821 Do?

The main things Amendment 821 changes are:

• Reduces the impact of “status points” for criminal history
• Allows judges to go below guideline ranges for certain drug offenders

Reduces Status Points for Criminal History

First, Amendment 821 reduces the effect of “status points” on someone’s criminal history score under the sentencing guidelines.Criminal history is a big factor in determining the final guideline range. The more past convictions someone has, the more status points they get, and the higher their criminal history category goes.Amendment 821 limits how much your criminal history category can go up just from having status points. For example, let’s say Joe has 1 past conviction worth 3 points. Under the old rules, if Joe committed his new offense while on probation (2 status points) his total criminal history score would be 5 points, putting him in Criminal History Category III.But under Amendment 821, those 2 status points wouldn’t increase his Criminal History Category at all – he’d stay at Category II.This change helps people who have longer records only because of things like parole violations, not new crimes. For non-violent drug offenders on supervision at the time of their offense, their criminal history score won’t shoot up as much.

Allows Departures Below Guidelines

The other major change is Amendment 821 allows judges to go below the normal guideline range for certain drug offenders with minimal criminal histories.Let’s look at an example:Say Jim was convicted of intent to distribute 50 grams of meth. Under the old guidelines, with no criminal history, his range would be 63-78 months. The judge would have to sentence him within that range.But under Amendment 821, if Jim has zero criminal history points and didn‘t use violence, the judge can depart downward up to 2 levels. So Jim’s range would now be 51-63 months, and the judge could sentence him below that to as low as 41 months.This gives judges more flexibility to issue shorter sentences for low-level drug crimes when appropriate. The Sentencing Commission estimates over 7,000 current federal inmates could see lower ranges.

Who Can Benefit from Amendment 821?

The people most likely to get shorter sentences under Amendment 821 are non-violent drug offenders with minimal criminal histories. This includes:

• First time offenders
• People with only minor prior records
• Those serving long sentences for low-level drug crimes
• Minor players in drug conspiracies

Violent criminals and drug kingpins won’t see any change. But thousands of low-level offenders could potentially get their sentences reduced by years.For example:

• Josh was convicted of selling 100 grams of heroin and got 78 months. With Amendment 821, his range may now be 63-70 months.
• Debbie was sentenced to 60 months for mailing 10 pounds of marijuana. She may now qualify for a range of 37-46 months.
• Tyrone got 120 months for his role delivering packages for a drug ring. He could possibly get a new range of 97-121 months.

As you can see, the sentencing benefits can be substantial, especially for non-violent offenders at the lower end of drug quantities.

How to Get a Sentence Reduction Under Amendment 821

If you or a loved one are currently serving federal time for a drug offense, here is how to go about seeking a sentence reduction under Amendment 821:

1. Determine If You’re Eligible

First, figure out if you meet the requirements to get a lower range under Amendment 821. You generally need:

• No criminal history points
• No violence involved in the offense
• Not a leader in a drug conspiracy
• No major injury or death resulted

If you meet these criteria, you’ll likely be eligible for a reduction. But meeting the requirements doesn’t guarantee a lower sentence – that will be up to the judge.

2. File a Motion After November 1, 2023

Amendment 821 goes into effect on November 1, 2023. After that date, you can file a motion in federal court asking for a sentencing reduction under the new rules.Federal public defenders can file these motions for free if they represented you originally. If not, your family may need to hire a lawyer to file the motion.

3. Wait for a Resentencing Hearing

After filing the motion, the judge will review it and decide if you qualify for a lower range. If so, they will schedule a resentencing hearing.This hearing will likely happen remotely by video conference. The judge will hear arguments from your lawyer and the prosecutor. They will then decide whether to reduce your sentence or not.Even if you qualify, the judge still has discretion on whether to lower your sentence at all. But Amendment 821 at least gives you a chance.

• Jim files his motion in January 2024. In March, he gets a hearing and his sentence is reduced by 18 months.
• Debbie files her motion in December 2023. She waits months until her hearing in June 2024. Luckily she still gets a 24 month reduction.

The process may take awhile, so be patient. But for many inmates, filing a motion under Amendment 821 could be their ticket to an earlier release.

How Amendment 821 Could Impact New Cases

While Amendment 821 offers hope for current inmates, it could also benefit people facing new federal drug charges but not yet sentenced.When calculating guideline ranges, judges will now apply the reduced status points and allow downward departures for qualified defendants. This could lead to lower sentencing ranges right from the start.Let’s look at an example:

• Mike was arrested for selling meth. Under old rules, with 1 prior conviction, his range would be 70-87 months.
• But under Amendment 821, his criminal history points are less. And with no violence involved, the judge can depart down 2 levels.
• So Mike’s range is now 57-71 months, and the judge sentences him to 60 months instead of 78 months.

So for new cases, Amendment 821 may result in better plea deals with lower sentencing ranges right off the bat.