States are starting to offer reduced prison time to survivors of domestic violence

According to one study of women in Oklahoma’s prisons, 66% were abused by a partner the year before they were incarcerated. The state has a new law that allows domestic violence survivors to seek shorter sentences. Oklahoma is one of only a handful of states to pass laws that provide sentencing relief specifically for domestic violence survivors.

Feb 1, 2025 1:00 AM CST

Clearing Obstacles: Noella Sudbury is helping people expunge their criminal records

Noella Sudbury knew she was onto something big when she helped organize Utah’s first free “Expungement Day” in 2018.

Feb 1, 2025 12:05 AM CST

This BigLaw firm will represent Trump in appeal of hush-money conviction

Sullivan & Cromwell will represent President Donald Trump in his appeal of his conviction and sentence for falsifying business records to hide a hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.

Jan 30, 2025 12:47 PM CST

As Jan. 6 leaders call for retribution, judges warn against revisionism

Two newly freed leaders of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups called for investigations into the prosecution of people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, assailing judges, jurors and prosecutors as they sought “retribution” after being granted clemency from President Donald Trump.

Jan 23, 2025 4:04 PM CST

Trump pardons almost all involved in Jan. 6 riot, commutes remaining 14 sentences

Jan 21, 2025 8:15 AM CST

Biden commutes sentences of nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders

President Joe Biden plans Friday to commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, making good on a promise to reduce the federal prison population before handing over the White House to President-elect Donald Trump.

Jan 17, 2025 9:52 AM CST

DC Circuit blocks accused 9/11 plotter’s plea after US balks

A federal court has blocked Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, from entering a plea deal Friday, granting an 11th-hour Biden administration request and ensuring the case continues into the incoming Trump administration.

Jan 10, 2025 10:45 AM CST

Trump sentenced in hush money case, will not face jail or probation

Donald Trump was sentenced without penalty on Friday for his felony conviction in his hush money trial, appearing virtually at what was likely his final court hearing as a criminal defendant before he is sworn in for another term in the White House.

Jan 10, 2025 10:36 AM CST

In 5-4 vote, Supreme Court refuses to delay Trump’s hush money sentencing

A closely divided Supreme Court refused to delay Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case, clearing the way for the president-elect to face judgment in a New York courtroom on Friday and to be formally classified as a felon before he returns to the White House.

Jan 9, 2025 8:45 PM CST

When should life sentences be overturned? Judge shares how he decides

A federal judge’s new book is giving readers a rare inside glimpse at how a judge determines which prisoners deserve to have their sentences overturned.

Jan 8, 2025 9:30 AM CST

Former BigLaw partner, fen-phen lawyer among those granted commutations by Biden

A former Jenkens & Gilchrist partner and an ex-diet-drug lawyer are among nearly 1,500 people granted commutations by President Joe Biden in December.

Jan 8, 2025 8:50 AM CST

Biden commutes 37 of 40 federal death sentences before Trump takes office

President Joe Biden on Monday is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 prisoners on federal death row to life without parole, taking the unprecedented step ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose incoming administration is widely expected to restart executions.

Dec 23, 2024 9:25 AM CST

Poll: Which ABA Journal magazine cover from 2024 was your favorite?

We covered a wide array of diverse, in-depth and hard-hitting legal topics at the ABA Journal this year.

Dec 20, 2024 10:35 AM CST

Biden commutes nearly 1,500 sentences in ‘largest single-day grant of clemency’

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 more convicted of nonviolent crimes, the White House said in a statement Thursday, describing it as “the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history.”

Dec 12, 2024 9:30 AM CST

Must Hunter Biden’s indictment be dismissed after presidential pardon? Special counsel doesn’t think so

The special counsel’s office is opposing motions to dismiss the tax-fraud and gun indictments against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, arguing that a presidential pardon does not require it.

Dec 3, 2024 12:48 PM CST