"Appeals Court Rules Some Jan. 6 Rioters Received Improper Sentence Enhancements"

A D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that some Jan. 6 rioters received improper sentence enhancements for obstructing the congressional certification, impacting scores of prison terms, including that of convicted rioter Larry Brock. While upholding Brock's conviction, the panel ordered the removal of the enhancement, potentially affecting dozens of sentences. The ruling centers on whether the "administration of justice" enhancement should apply to the disrupted congressional proceedings, with the panel agreeing with Brock's argument that it does not extend to the unique congressional function of certifying electoral college votes. The Justice Department's upcoming Supreme Court case on the felony obstruction charge used against rioters is also highlighted.