SCOTUS Oral Argument: Rutherford v. United States – First Step Act & Compassionate Release

Full audio of the Supreme Court oral argument in Rutherford v. United States (No. 24-820), argued November 12, 2025. In this case, the Justices consider whether federal judges may treat nonretroactive sentencing changes in the First Step Act—including the end of mandatory "stacking" under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)—as "extraordinary and compelling reasons" to grant compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). Listen as the Court presses both sides on sentencing disparities, the Sentencing Commission's new policy statement, and what fairness looks like for people serving decades-long terms under outdated law.

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