Commutation

Federal Judge Lifts Travel Ban on Oath Keepers After Trump’s Commutation, Amid Legal Debate on Supervised Release

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WASHINGTON — In a notable reversal, a federal judge lifted the travel restrictions for Stewart Rhodes and his co-defendants, all members of the far-right Oath Keepers group. These individuals faced lengthy sentences for their roles in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot but saw their sentences commuted by former President Donald Trump as part of a broader act of clemency that affected over 1,500 individuals linked to the events of that day. U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta initially imposed a directive that barred these defendants from entering Washington, D.C., unless they obtained court … Read more

North Dakota Federal Judge Criticizes Biden’s Commutation Decisions, Cites Lack of Consultation and Impact on Victims

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BISMARCK, N.D. — This month, President Joe Biden announced an unprecedented act of clemency, commuting the federal sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals. According to the White House, these individuals had previously been transitioned to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and had successfully reintegrated into their communities. However, this sweeping decision has faced criticism from a Bismarck-based judge, adding a layer of controversy to what the administration has labeled as a progressive step toward justice reform. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland, serving since 2002, has voiced significant concerns regarding the lack of consultation with … Read more

California Attorney Faces New Charges Over Alleged Deceptive Practices in Prisoner Commutation Cases

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Los Angeles, CA — Aaron Spolin, a Princeton-educated lawyer and former consultant at McKinsey, has recently faced a second wave of charges from the State Bar of California. Last week, the organization, which regulates the state’s legal professionals, supplemented its initial disciplinary accusations from August against Spolin and his Los Angeles-based law firm. The latest 18 counts include allegations of deceptive marketing practices that preyed on the vulnerabilities of incarcerated individuals and their families. According to the charges, Spolin extensively used misleading statements to secure clients, many of whom were inmates seeking early release under … Read more