IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
INRE: Section 603(b) Relief under First Step Act
ADMINISTRATIVE STANDING ORDER
On December 21, 2018, the President signed into law the First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L.
No. 115-391 , 132 Stat. 5194 (2018). This legislation provides grounds for certain defendants
sentenced by this Court to seek reduction of their sentences.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(l) and
( c ), in order to efficiently process motions and petitions raising potential claims for relief under
the First Step Act, the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania (FDO) is appointed to represent for screening purposes any defendant previously
determined to have been entitled to appointment of counsel or who is now indigent, to determine
whether the defendant may be eligible to petition the Court for compassionate release in
accordance with Section 603(b) of the First Step Act. If, after screening, the FDO identifies a
prohibitive conflict that would prevent representation of a client, or other good cause supports
appointment of outside counsel, the FDO shall inform the judge and request appointment of
counsel from the Criminal Justice Act Panel.
The United States Probation Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is authorized
to disclose the following documents from a defendant' s case file that are not are not otherwise
available from the judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service,
namely Presentence Investigation Reports, Statements of Reasons, and Judgments, to the FDO
and United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the purpose of determining eligibility for relief
under the First Step Act. Should any additional documents be needed, counsel shall seek further
permission from the Court.
The FDO shall provide the Presentence Investigation Report, Statement of Reasons, and
Judgment to any subsequently appointed or retained counsel. In accordance with the policy of
the Federal Bureau of Prisons, no Presentence Investigation Reports or Statements of Reasons
shall be provided to inmates.
IT IS SO ORDERED this
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/5~ May 2019.
BY THE COURT:
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