Barry Boss, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Criminal Defense and Internal Investigations Practice Group, discusses the U.S. Sentencing Commission's review of sentencing policies for white collar criminals in an AP article titled, "Lighter Sentences Sought for Some Business Crimes." Defense lawyers and prisoner advocates are pushing for white-collar criminals to receive a prison sentence that most matches their involvement with the crime, which could result in a more lenient sentence. Under a 2013 proposal from the American Bar Association, judges would look more intently at motive, scheme's duration and sophistication, and whether the defendant actually financially benefited or merely intended to. Attorneys have commented that the current structure means those who play a minimal role still get stuck with harsh sentences.
To read the article, click here.