US ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER ISSUES

"HOLDER MEMO" ON MAY 19 - RESTORING LOCAL 

DISCRETION AND MOOTING "ASHCROFT MEMO"

Federal criminal lawyers remember well the rigid command of the Ashcroft Memo. It called for maximum charging, maximum sentencing and eliminated the Constitutional discretion of prosecutors which is essential to justice. Eric Holder now changes that policy, restoring the substantial importance of individualized sentencing and consideration of many factors in both the charging decision and sentencing advocacy from the United States Attorneys.  A welcome change to be sure.  A memo you might want to carry to court for the short term: wouldn't you like to remind your AUSA of the "Holder Memo"?