Supreme Court's Dynamic Duo: Ketanji Brown Jackson and Neil Gorsuch
The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Pulsifer v. United States, which centers around the interpretation of the word "and" in the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform bill. Mark Pulsifer, who pleaded guilty to a drug-related felony, argues that he should be eligible for a sentencing reduction because he does not meet all three eligibility criteria outlined in the law. Federal prosecutors argue that anyone who fails to meet any of the criteria is ineligible for relief. The justices engaged in a detailed analysis of the language and implications of the law, with Justice Gorsuch expressing concern about the power imbalance between defendants and the government. The court's decision will have implications for future criminal justice reform efforts.
