News / FJP Releases

February 18, 2025

FJP Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig Testifies in Opposition to Maryland HB 1398 Before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee

Today, Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig testified before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1398 the so-called “Distribution of Heroin or Fentanyl Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death” Act. If enacted, this bill would impose harsh criminal penalties on families, friends, or package delivery workers by holding them liable for overdose deaths they did not intend or could not foresee. Research and experience show that laws like HB 1398 fail to deter drug use, discourage people from seeking medical help in overdose situations, and exacerbate racial disparities in the criminal legal system.

Despite claims that this legislation is intended to target high-level traffickers, its broad language ensures that low-level users, family members, and friends of overdose victims could be prosecuted as has been the case in other states where similar laws are already in place. Additionally, similar laws in New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, Louisiana, and New York led to significant increases in overdose deaths despite a dramatic uptick in drug-induced homicide prosecutions.

FJP Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig Testifies in favor of the Maryland Second Look Act before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee

Today, Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig testified before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee in favor of HB 853 – the Maryland Second Look Act – a crucial bill that would provide incarcerated individuals who have served at least 20 years with an opportunity to petition for a sentence reduction. HB 853 establishes a meaningful process for resentencing individuals who have served at least 20 years in prison. The bill enables State’s Attorneys to petition for sentence reductions, mandates that judges consider victims’ perspectives if they choose to participate, and introduces a rebuttable presumption that individuals aged 60 or older, or those who have served at least 30 years, no longer present a public safety risk. FJP strongly supports the Maryland Second Look Act and urges the House Judiciary Committee to quickly advance this legislation to the full General Assembly.

February 7, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Condemns House Passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) strongly condemns the House’s passage of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT) Act, a misguided bill that doubles down on the failed “War on Drugs” rather than advancing evidence-based solutions to the overdose crisis. The bill would permanently classify all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, expands mandatory minimum sentences, and lacks an offramp for substances that are inert or have potential medical value. This bill doubles down on failed, punitive drug policies rather than advancing evidence-based solutions that address the overdose crisis. The bill passed in a 312 – 108 vote and now moves on to the U.S. Senate.

Fair and Just Prosecution Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig issued the following statement in response to the House passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act:

“This bill isn’t about saving lives—it’s about political posturing at the expense of strengthening communities. Congress should focus on what actually works: treatment, harm reduction, and policies that stop overdoses, not jailing people. The Senate must reject this harmful legislation and focus on real solutions that save lives and create healthier communities, rather than just pretending they are solving the problem by criminalizing substance use – again.”

January 21, 2025

FJP Denounces Gun Manufacturers’ Immunity Claims for Selling Arms to Mexican Drug Cartels in Smith & Wesson v. Mexico

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court challenging gun manufacturers’ legal immunity claims in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos. The case brought by the Mexican government alleges that American gun manufacturers provided “knowing and substantial assistance” to gun dealers flagged by the federal government for engaging in bulk gun sales to Mexican drug cartels. 

Following the First Circuit’s refusal to dismiss Mexico’s case, the gun manufacturers appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that they are exempt from all liability for aiding and abetting drug cartels’ illegal activities because these sales amount to “routine business practices” that are protected under U.S. law. In its brief, FJP noted that this legal argument – if successful – would upset “textbook theories of aiding and abetting liability,” undercutting criminal and civil prosecutions for similar crimes across the country.

“Since 2006, drug cartels have murdered more than 430,000 people in Mexico, yet American gun manufacturers continue to supply these dangerous criminal organizations with the weapons they need to kill any teacher, student, journalist, or politician who dares to stand against their reign of terror,” said FJP Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig. “The Court has a legal and moral obligation to reject gun manufacturers’ ludicrous legal arguments, which would undermine both public safety and Americans’ trust in the criminal legal system.”

January 17, 2025

FJP Applauds President Biden on Historic Commutations for 2,500 People Convicted of Nonviolent Drug Offenses

Today, President Biden announced the commutation of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug infractions. In an official statement, President Biden noted that these individuals are currently serving disproportionately long sentences following changes to current U.S. “law, policy, and practice,” such as the crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity that disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities. The move comes on the heels of President Biden’s decision to commute the vast majority of the federal death row.  

Fair and Just Prosecution Acting Co-Executive Director Robin Olsen issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s historic announcement:

“Rectifying unjust sentencing disparities, including for crack and powder cocaine, is an important component of seeking equal justice. It is long overdue for the United States to address the cases for those serving unjust sentences that would not be given today. President Biden has cemented his legacy by addressing critical issues of justice, fairness, and criminal legal reform. We are appreciative of this action and the work done that’s led to today. There is still more work to do to move toward fairness in our justice system.”