Biden Grants Our Client Clemency

President Joe Biden recently granted clemency to over 1500 individuals, highlighting his commitment to criminal justice reform. This act of mercy offers some hope to those who have been affected by longstanding inequities and sentencing disparities within the federal justice system, especially those convicted of non-violent drug-related offenses.

With this historic decision, President Biden sends a clear message that he values compassion and believes in the power of redemption. He acknowledges the need for reform by granting clemency and aims to correct the injustices that have disproportionately affected marginalized communities. This bold action signifies a significant step forward in addressing the flaws in our federal criminal justice system.

The Law Offices of Peter Katz announces that President Biden granted clemency to one of our clients, Mr. Rogelio Lopez-Batista. We previously sought his release from prison through post-conviction relief, and we are pleased he has received permanent clemency and a commutation of his sentence.

What is Clemency?

Clemency refers to the power of a government official, such as a president or governor, to reduce or eliminate a person’s punishment for a crime. It is a form of executive mercy that can be granted in various ways, including pardons, commutations, and reprieves.

Presidential clemency is when the President of the United States uses their constitutional power to pardon or commute a federal offender’s sentence. This power allows the President to show mercy and grant relief to individuals who may have received harsh or unfair sentences or whose circumstances have changed since their conviction.

Pardons completely forgive the convicted person for their crime and restore their rights and privileges, such as voting or owning firearms. On the other hand, commutations reduce the length of a person’s sentence, often resulting in their early release from prison. Reprieves provide a temporary delay or suspension of a sentence, usually for humanitarian or medical reasons. President Biden recently commuted sentences for 1500 people and pardoned another 39 at the time of this writing.

Receiving clemency from the President of the United States is a rare and significant event. It signifies that the government acknowledges the individual’s rehabilitation, accepts their remorse, and believes in their potential for a second chance.

Clemency for Mr. Lopez-Batista

Our federal criminal defense lawyer, Peter Katz, previously filed a post-conviction motion for the release of Mr. Lopez-Batista during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to his health risks and dangerous outbreaks at the minimum-security facility where he was serving his sentence. Our motion was based on the following points, among others:

While our motion was denied, the escalation of the pandemic resulted in the CARES Act, which led to the release of many offenders from Bureau of Prison facilities due to health risks, allowing them to continue their sentences in home confinement. Mr. Lopez-Batista was one of these individuals, allowing him to serve his sentence from home.

Mr. Lopez-Batista’s presidential clemency and sentence commutation means he will not have to return to prison. This is critically important, as President-elect Donald Trump has said he intended to return such offenders serving sentences in home confinement to Bureau of Prison facilities once he takes office in January.

Consult Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

The Law Offices of Peter Katz represent clients in all stages of the federal criminal process, from initial investigations to post-conviction relief. If you need assistance with any federal criminal matter, contact us immediately.