Supreme Court to Hear Prisoner’s Appeal Seeking Reduced Sentence Under First Step Act

A federal appeals court previously rejected the inmate’s appeal, saying potential innocence may not be argued to reduce a sentence.

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on May 19, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an inmate’s argument that federal courts may consider his claim of innocence when deciding whether to reduce his sentence under the First Step Act.

The bipartisan measure approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, reformed aspects of the criminal justice system, making it easier for the courts to reduce penalties for certain offenders.