UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
IN RE: AMENDMENT 782 TO )
SENTENCING GUIDELINES ) Chief Judge Thomas A. Varlan
) SO-14-07
STANDING ORDER
On July 18, 2014, the United States Sentencing Commission voted to give
retroactive effect to the guideline amendment reducing by two levels the offense levels
assigned to the quantities in sections 2D1.1 and 2D1.11 of the United States Sentencing
Commission Guidelines Manual, which will be designated Amendment 782 in Appendix
C. The amendment will become effective November 1, 2014, absent Congressional
action to the contrary.
Because of the large number of defendants who may be affected by this retroactive
amendment, the Court APPOINTS Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee
(“FDS”) to represent all defendants unless the defendant has retained counsel or the
previously appointed CJA attorney wishes to represent the defendant.
FDS will identify defendants with a claim for relief under the amended guidelines
and represent such defendants in filing motions for reduced sentences under the
amendment. FDS shall identify any conflicts of interest and notify the Court so new
counsel can be appointed. Any defendant who was not previously represented by FDS or
a CJA attorney will need to complete an in forma pauperis application and file the
application with the Court.
The United States Probation Office is AUTHORIZED to disclose relevant
information to FDS, including the identities of defendants it has identified as being
affected by the amendment and presentence investigation reports. The Probation Office,
FDS, and the United States Attorney’s Office are encouraged to assist the Court in
identifying those cases deserving of priority treatment, i.e., those cases where a
defendant’s release date is near.
SO ORDERED.
ENTERED BY THE COURT AUGUST 8, 2014:
s/Thomas A. Varlan
Chief United States District Judge
