Federal Sentence Reduced by 107 Months Following Successful Appeal and Resentencing
Attorney Michael J. Petro is proud to announce a significant resentencing victory in federal court. In this case, a federal sentence reduction after appeal resulted in a 107-month reduction—nearly nine years—from John Lee’s original prison sentence.
Federal criminal cases rarely end with the original sentencing...
Eleventh Circuit Vacates John Lee’s 17-Year Sentence
Attorney Michael J. Petro obtained a significant victory in an Eleventh Circuit sentencing appeal for his client, John Lee. On January 6, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit vacated Lee's 204-month federal prison...
Earning First Step Act Time Credits
The First Step Act Time Credits program allows eligible federal prisoners to earn credits by participating in qualifying programs and productive activities. Those credits may permit an eligible prisoner to transition from a federal prison to prerelease custody earlier or,...
Zero Point Sentencing Amendment Explained
Federal defendants with zero criminal history points may qualify for a two-level reduction in their offense level under USSG §4C1.1, commonly known as the zero-point offender adjustment.
Federal sentencing attorney Michael J....
Federal Compassionate Release Attorney Michael J. Petro
A federal prison sentence does not always have to be served exactly as originally imposed.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A), a federal judge may reduce a term of imprisonment when extraordinary and compelling circumstances justify a...
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
The United States Sentencing Guidelines play a central role in determining the potential sentence in a federal criminal case. Although the Guidelines are advisory rather than mandatory, federal judges must correctly calculate the applicable Guideline range...
U.S.S.G. Section 3C1.1 Obstruction of Justice – 7th Circuit Brief Filed
Obstruction of Justice Enhancement Under U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1
A defendant in federal court can receive a two-level increase in the offense level for obstructing or attempting to obstruct the administration of justice.
The enhancement is found in U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 and can substantially...
Brief Filed in 7th Circuit Court of Appeals: USSG 2D1.1(b)(12)
The federal sentencing guidelines impose a two level increase when a defendant maintained a premises for manufacturing or distributing controlled substances. This provision, commonly called the stash house sentencing enhancement, can substantially increase the recommended prison...
Nicolas Gomez Gets His Federal Sentence Reduced!
Federal sentencing attorney Michael J. Petro successfully obtained a substantial sentence reduction for Nicolas Gomez in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The court reduced Mr. Gomez’s federal prison sentence from...
USSG 2D1.1: Court’s Failure to Explicitly State Drug Quantity Leads to Reversal
Drug quantity frequently controls the sentencing guideline range in a federal drug prosecution. A court cannot simply select an offense level without identifying the quantity attributed to the defendant and the reliable evidence supporting that calculation.