Firm Files Amicus Brief On Behalf Of Bipartisan Group Of Senators Urging Supreme Court To Recognize That Low-Level Crack Offenders Can Seek Lower Sentences Under The First Step Act Of 2018

On February 19, Jenner & Block filed an amicus brief on behalf of a bipartisan group of senators – Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Cory Booker, and Mike Lee.  The amici were lead sponsors of the First Step Act of 2018.  The First Step Act authorizes retroactive relief for individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which eliminated the now-infamous 100-to-1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine.  In Terry v. United States, the Supreme Court is considering whether the relief the First Step Act authorizes extends to individuals sentenced for low-level crack offenses. 

The brief explains that, as lead sponsors of the First Step Act, the bipartisan group of Amici have a strong interest in ensuring that the Act is interpreted correctly.  And the brief explains that, under the Act’s plain text, the Act makes retroactive relief broadly available to all individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act, including those sentenced for low-level crack offenses.

The firm team includes Partner Zachary C. Schauf and Associates Elizabeth B. Deutsch, Noah B. Bokat-Lindell, and Urja Mittal.

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Firm Files Amicus Brief On Behalf Of Bipartisan Group Of Senators Urging Supreme Court To Recognize That Low-Level Crack Offenders Can Seek Lower Sentences Under The First Step Act Of 2018

On February 19, Jenner & Block filed an amicus brief on behalf of a bipartisan group of senators – Dick Durbin, Chuck Grassley, Cory Booker, and Mike Lee.  The amici were lead sponsors of the First Step Act of 2018.  The First Step Act authorizes retroactive relief for individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which eliminated the now-infamous 100-to-1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine.  In Terry v. United States, the Supreme Court is considering whether the relief the First Step Act authorizes extends to individuals sentenced for low-level crack offenses. 

The brief explains that, as lead sponsors of the First Step Act, the bipartisan group of Amici have a strong interest in ensuring that the Act is interpreted correctly.  And the brief explains that, under the Act’s plain text, the Act makes retroactive relief broadly available to all individuals sentenced for crack-cocaine offenses before the Fair Sentencing Act, including those sentenced for low-level crack offenses.

The firm team includes Partner Zachary C. Schauf and Associates Elizabeth B. Deutsch, Noah B. Bokat-Lindell, and Urja Mittal.

Related Capabilities

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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