Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-706
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Introduced: 2015-02-04
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing

Judicial procedure and administration
Latest action: action_date: 2015-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-02-04
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015</b></p> <p> This bill authorizes a federal court to impose a sentence in a criminal proceeding that is below the minimum sentence required by statute if the court finds that a lower sentence is necessary to avoid violating statutory factors that the court must consider in imposing a sentence. The court must give parties to the proceeding notice of its intent to impose a lower sentence and state in writing the factors requiring such a sentence. This bill does not limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 706 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 4, 2015 Mr. Scott of Virginia (for himself and Mr. Massie ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent unjust and irrational criminal punishments.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2015 . 2. Authority to impose a sentence below a statutory minimum Section 3553 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Authority To impose a sentence below a statutory minimum To prevent an unjust sentence (1) General rule Notwithstanding any provision of law other than this subsection, the court may impose a sentence below a statutory minimum if the court finds that it is necessary to do so in order to avoid violating the requirements of subsection (a). (2) Court to give parties notice Before imposing a sentence under paragraph (1), the court shall give the parties reasonable notice of the court’s intent to do so and an opportunity to respond. (3) Statement in writing of factors The court shall state, in the written statement of reasons, the factors under subsection (a) that require imposition of a sentence below the statutory minimum. (4) Appeal rights not limited This subsection does not limit any right to appeal that would otherwise exist in its absence. .