Defenders advise USSC on post-Booker world

Providing a fitting way to review the state of federal sentencing on Booker's birthday, federal public defender representatives have produced an amazing letter to the US Sentencing Commission.  The letter, which runs 20+ pages and provides a remarkably refined account (from a defender perspective) of where sentencing now stands and should be going, is available for download below.  Any and everyone interested in the post-Booker world and thinking about ways to improve the federal sentencing universe should read this letter closely.  Here is its brief introduction:

We understand that the Commission intends to issue a report on federal sentencing since United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S. Ct. 738 (2005).  On behalf of the Federal Public and Community Defenders, we write to offer our perspective on post-Booker sentencing, and to suggest issues and questions to be addressed in your report.

Download letter_to_ussc_110061.pdf