I’d been looking for a template like this for a while online and couldn’t find one so I reached out to a really cool lawyer and got one that I thought I’d share with everyone.

It’s a combined template so depending on whether the defendant you’re helping is a zero point offender or trying to take off his status points you’ll have to delete the other parts when filing this out.

Go to the bottom of this post for the attached template in Word format.

What is the 2023 Sentencing Guidelines Amendment 821?

America’s sentencing guidelines have long been criticized for unfairly penalizing certain groups, including those with no prior convictions (“zero-point offenders”) and those facing “status points” for minor offenses committed while under supervision. Enter Amendment 821, a 2023 landmark change that promises fairer sentencing for these individuals.

What Are Zero-Point Offenders?

The old system ignored the low recidivism rates of zero-point offenders, lumping them with repeat offenders based solely on points. Amendment 821 recognizes this injustice, assigning them lower sentencing ranges, potentially leading to shorter prison terms or alternative sentencing.

What Are Status Points?

Status points, automatically added for minor offenses committed under supervision, often resulted in harsh sentences for low-risk individuals. The amendment reduces their impact, eliminating them for some offenders and lowering the number awarded for others.

A Step Forward, But Not the Finish Line

While significant, Amendment 821’s impact hinges on its retroactive application and the continued fight against racial disparities in sentencing. Nonetheless, it marks a crucial step towards a more just system, offering a brighter future for those unfairly burdened by the old guidelines.