Supreme Court Will Consider Shrinking Sentences for Jan. 6 Rioters

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday about whether Jan. 6 rioters should be sentenced using a federal charge which carries a hefty maximum penalty.

The Department of Justice has been regularly recommending Jan. 6 rioters be charged with a statute which prohibits obstruction of Congressional inquiries and investigations, including acts unrelated to investigations and evidence. On Jan. 6 2021, rioters interrupted the counting and certification of electoral votes, a judicial proceeding.

The federal charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. So far, over 100 rioters have been convicted and sentenced under that charge, but D.C. judges often sentence below the maximum.

Read more at The Daily Beast.