Call for Papers: FSR issue on “A Justice System Crossroads: Reflecting on Biden’s Record and Projecting a Second Trump Term”

The editors of the Federal Sentencing Reporter are seeking articles for a new FSR issue on “A Justice System Crossroads: Reflecting on Biden’s Record and Projecting a Second Trump Term.”  Here is some background on this call for papers:

Every major federal election impacts sentencing and criminal justice policy and practice in many ways, both predictable and unpredictable.  But, with the 2020 and 2024 elections including all sorts of political rhetoric and policy debates around crime and criminal justice issues, the election of Donald Trump and the upcoming control of both Houses of Congress by the Republicans feel especially significant for a wide array of sentencing and criminal justice issues.  The 2024 election follows the recent and still on-going implementation of the landmark First Step Act. And, of course, both Presidents Trump and Biden have developed significant criminal justice records ranging from notable use of clemency powers to nominations transforming the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Sentencing Commission (not to mention the U.S. Supreme Court).

With the Biden Administration winding down and another Trump Administration gearing up, the editors of the Federal Sentencing Reporter are eager to have judges, lawyers, other practitioners, policy advocates, academics, and researchers, share thoughts on the Biden legacy and what we might expect (or hope for) in the new Administration for publication in a fall 2025 FSR issue.  We encourage a wide array of authors to contribute commentaries on the wide range of topics connected to criminal justice, including guideline reform, charging, clemency, compassionate release, BOP operations, forfeiture and more.

FSR commentaries for this issue could just “look back” at where we’ve been the last four years, perhaps examining the out-going Biden Administration’s implementation of various aspects of the First Step Act or the work of the finally functioning U.S. Sentencing Commission.  Or they could “look forward” to such issues as how the incoming Trump Administration’s Department of Justice might move forward on the death penalty or mandatory minimum sentencing. With Presidents Trump and Biden making controversial use of clemency powers, we would especially welcome writings about pardon practices and proposals for reforms.  For this issue and others, FSR always welcomes commentaries from all perspectives, including insights from sentencing experiences in the states and other countries.  Everyone with an informed interest in sentencing law and practice is highly encouraged to submit a commentary for this issue.

FSR articles are typically brief — 2000 to 5000 words, though they can run longer — with light use of citations in the form of endnotes.  The pieces are designed to be read by busy stakeholders, including lawyers, judges, scholars, and legislators (as well as, of course, members and staff of the US Sentencing Commission).  Priority will be given to drafts submitted by March 15, 2025, and later submissions will be considered as space permits.  Submissions should be sent electronically to berman.43 @ osu.edu with a clear indication of the author and the author’s professional affiliation.