"Supreme Court Rejects Shorter Sentences for 'Thousands' of Inmates"

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against a convicted drug dealer seeking a shorter sentence under the 2018 First Step Act, stating that he did not meet the necessary requirements for a lower sentence. The decision, with an unusual ideological alignment, limits exceptions under the Act to mandatory minimum sentences, potentially affecting thousands of federal prison inmates. Justice Elena Kagan wrote the opinion, joined by five conservative justices, while Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented, expressing concern about denying individuals a chance at an individualized sentence.