In a significant 5-4 decision handed down on June 26th, the Supreme Court has made it easier for some individuals to receive reduced sentences under the First Step Act. The ruling clarifies a key provision of the Act, impacting how prior sentences are considered when determining eligibility for reduced penalties.

The Court’s majority opinion, authored by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and partially joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch, establishes a crucial precedent: a prior sentence can only be considered under the First Step Act if it has not been vacated. This distinction is vital, as the Act prioritizes lighter sentences for defendants who had not yet been sentenced when the law came into effect.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined portions of Justice Jackson’s opinion, solidifying the majority’s stance. This decision marks a notable victory for those advocating for more lenient sentencing under the First Step Act, potentially impacting numerous cases and leading to a reassessment of existing sentences.