My life was forever changed when my sentence was enhanced from a few years to 40 years. This drastic increase was based on conduct for which I had been unanimously found not guilty by a jury. This is not just my story, but the story of many others who have fallen victim to this unjust practice.

The "Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act" is a bi-partisan bill that seeks to end this unfair sentencing practice. It aims to ensure that acquitted conduct cannot be used as a basis for enhancing sentences, thereby upholding the principle that individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

According to data from The Sentencing Project, one in seven prisoners in the U.S. is serving a life sentence (either life without parole or virtual life) and nearly half of these individuals are without any chance of parole. Many such sentences are enhanced based on acquitted conduct, effectively bypassing the jury's decision and undermining our justice system.

We need your support now more than ever to get this vital legislation passed in 2024 and put an end to punishment for acquitted conduct once and for all. Sign this petition today and help us bring about much-needed change within our justice system!

https://www.prisonfellowship.org/2023/11/prison-fellowships-statement-on-house-judiciary-committee-mark-up-of-the-prohibiting-punishment-of-acquitted-conduct-act-of-2023/

The Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023 is supported by a bipartisan group of legislators in the United States Congress. The key supporters of this legislation include:

1. Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), who led the bill through the Judiciary Committee and introduced the bipartisan, bicameral measure with Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) in the House of Representatives[1].
2. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who introduced the bill in the Senate alongside Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)[3][5].
3. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who has been a strong advocate for this legislation and was a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee[5].

These legislators have emphasized the importance of ending the unjust practice of judges increasing sentences based on conduct for which a defendant has not been convicted. They argue that this practice is inconsistent with the Constitution's guarantees of due process and the right to a jury trial, and that it undermines the principle of "innocent until proven guilty"[5].

The bill has advanced unanimously through the Judiciary Committee and is now set to be voted on by the full House of Representatives[1].

Sources
[1] Congressman Cohen Leads His Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act through Judiciary Committee https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cohen-leads-his-prohibiting-punishment-acquitted-conduct
[2] [PDF] H. R. 5430 - House Judiciary Committee https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/hr-5430-bill-text.pdf
[3] S.2788 - Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023 - Congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2788?r=88&s=1
[4] S.2788 - Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023 ... https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2788/text?r=76&s=1
[5] Grassley, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Prohibit Punishment of Acquitted Conduct | U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-durbin-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-to-prohibit-punishment-of-acquitted-conduct​

https://lisa-legalinfo.com/2023/11/07/acquitted-conduct-rides-again-on-capitol-hill-update-for-november-7-2023/​

https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cohen-armstrong-durbin-and-grassley-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral#:~:text=The%20Prohibiting%20Punishment%20of%20Acquitted,acquitted%20conduct%20at%20sentencing%2C%20and​

Sentencing Commission Votes Unanimously to Prohibit Punishment of Acquitted ​

Conducthttps://x.com/idueprocess/status/1720102142017474853?s=46&t=-IUd-Mmx6JKSuqtNY4pIaQ