The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an inmate’s argument that federal courts may consider his claim of innocence when deciding whether to reduce his sentence under the First Step Act.
The bipartisan measure approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, reformed aspects of the criminal justice system, making it easier for the courts to reduce penalties for certain offenders.
The justices granted the petition in Fernandez v. United States in an unsigned order on May 27. No justices dissented. The court did not explain its decision.
In its order, the court said it would look at whether factors that would warrant vacating a conviction may also count as “extraordinary and compelling reasons” for reducing a prisoner’s sentence….