Since June 28, 2004 May 7, 2021 Split(?) Sixth Circuit panel clarifies disparity between actual sentence and sentence under current law can be proper compassionate relief factor I have been pleased to be able to blog about a significant number of significant circuit rulings on the reach and application of the sentence modification provisions amended by the federal FIRST STEP Act. As regular readers know, in lots of (pre-COVID) prior posts, I made much of the provision of the FIRST STEP Act allowing federal courts to directly reduce sentences under the (so-called compassionate release) statutory provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) without awaiting a motion by the Bureau of Prisons. I have long considered this provision a big deal because, if applied appropriately and robustly, it could and should enable many hundreds (and perhaps many thousands) of federal prisoners to have excessive prison sentences reduced on a variety of grounds.