News and Practice Tips

New memo from the Court clarifying the use of Form 13-D in relation to PSR's. memo

Pay increase - Congress authorized and provided funds to raise the non-capital hourly panel
attorney compensation rate from $100 to $110, and the maximum hourly capital rate from $170 to
$175 (for federal capital prosecutions and capital post-conviction proceedings). more info

The Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho are currently taking orders for their “2008 My Little Red Rules Book.” This handy pocket book is designed for quick reference during federal trials and other hearings containing many of the most frequently used Rules in federal court. The books will be ready for distribution in early February 2008. If interested, you can pre-order a book by sending your check for $6.00 made payable to:
Federal Defenders of EWA and ID
10 North Post #700
Spokane, WA 99201

I. Supreme Court News (updated 04/16/2008)
A. SENTENCING GUIDELINES
B. FIREARMS
C. DRUGS
D.ENEMY COMBATANTS
E. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
F. DEATH PENALTY
G. RIGHT TO COUNSEL
II. Guideline Amendments
A. CRACK AMENDMENTS AND RETROACTIVITY
B. CRIMINAL HISTORY AMENDMENTS
III. Sex Offender Issues
A. SORNA
B. CHALLENGES TO SORNA
IV. Research Starters "Excerpts from defense memos and briefs setting out legal standards on various issues."
A. DRUG OFFENSES: MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR OFFENSE CONDUCT, ONLY
B.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN DRUG CASES
C.CONSPIRACY: RELEVANT CONDUCT AND OFFENSE CONDUCT
D.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASES
E.RELEVANT CONDUCT: LIMITATIONS IN GUN CASES
F. 3553(A) FACTORS
G. STATUTORY INTERPRETATION
H. RULE 404(B) EVIDENCE
I. FOURTH AMENDMENT
J. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
K. EXPERT TESTIMONY, DAUBERT
L. RELIABILITY OF SENTENCING INFORMATION
M. CRAWFORD AND CONFRONTATION CLAUSE

Fall 2007 issue of The Back Bencher.

Office News

Mission Statement:

The Federal Public Defender’s Office strives to provide effective representation as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to ensure the rights of the individual regardless of the ability to retain counsel, and to assist others in this mission. The Office also seeks to provide educational and training opportunities to attorneys appointed pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act to assist them in meeting these same goals.