Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and Clemency

FAMM and Clemency

Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is working to get clemency for those who are deserving. If you want to know more about FAMM read on. Here, you can find some frequently asked questions and information about the organization and clemency.

What is FAMM?

FAMM stands for Families Against Mandatory Minimums. This is a nonprofit organization that encourages smart sentencing. Smart sentencing can improve public safety for all. They aim to ensure that punishments remain fair, individualized, and sufficient for each person. They aim to influence both state and federal sentencing. They do this by riding the legal system of mandatory minimums. A mandatory minimum means that for a crime an individual got convicted of, there exists a mandatory minimum sentence they must serve for that specific crime.

What is Clemency?

Clemency gets defined as a leniency granted for a crime. It does not mean that the crime gets overlooked or forgotten. But, in a sense the crime becomes forgiven. This means the offender is treated more leniently for his or her actions. Clemency tends to happen in severe cases. Also, clemency isn’t a right of any individual. Rather it is a privilege granted when deemed appropriate. Clemency doesn’t come easily to any individual.

How Does FAMM Relate to Clemency?

FAMM has gathered a large group of lawyers. They currently work on the behalf of prisoners who got harsh sentences in hopes of seeking full justice for each. Because FAMM is nonprofit, the cost of these lawyers to assist them is free. These efforts are a part of a movement called the Clemency Project 2014. This project is due to the lawyers who are offering free assistance to those who need it most. The lawyers and individuals who seek clemency through this program expect the Department of Justice to treat each petition fairly. They should treat each petition the same as they would any other appeal.

Will FAMM Help With Federal Offenses?

The truth is, it depends. But FAMM is working to help as many prisoners as possible with appeals for clemency. Federal offenders have to fit a certain criteria in order to be eligible for help from FAMM. There are several requirements. One requirement is having served at least 10 years of your sentence. This time period requirement is longer for federal crimes over state crimes due to offenses to the government. The individual must have no significant prior conviction. This enhances the chance that the individual will not commit another crime once their sentence has come to an end.

The individual must have exhibited good conduct while in prison. The individual must have a non-violent history and no connections to any organized crime or gang related activity. This helps to ensure that the individual will be unlikely to repeat offend if granted clemency. And finally, if the individual were convicted of the crime today, legally their sentence would be shorter.
FAMM works alongside a team of volunteer lawyers who seek justice and fair sentences for every individual who is convicted of a crime. For more information, please contact me here.