https://federal-alert.com/blog/ Plain-English federal law explainers, circuit updates, and sentencing insights for families and advocates. en-US Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 180 https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/barrett-double-punishment-924c-924j-firearm-homicide.html https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/barrett-double-punishment-924c-924j-firearm-homicide.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 Can a single homicide support charges under both § 924(c) and § 924(j)? We explain how recent law addresses double-counting and sentencing consequences. https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/ellingburg-mvra-restitution-punishment-ex-post-facto.html https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/ellingburg-mvra-restitution-punishment-ex-post-facto.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 When restitution becomes punitive, it can trigger Ex Post Facto concerns. We break down Ellingburg’s framework and implications. https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/hunter-appeal-waiver-supervised-release-forced-medication.html https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/hunter-appeal-waiver-supervised-release-forced-medication.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 Does signing an appeal waiver prevent challenges to forced psychiatric medication on supervised release? Hunter examines bodily autonomy and sentencing control. https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/due-process-notice-rivera-valdes-1326.html https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/10/due-process-notice-rivera-valdes-1326.html Sun, 05 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 If the government knows a person never received their removal hearing notice, it must take reasonable steps to fix it. Otherwise, § 1326 cannot stand. https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/09/metcalf-fair-notice-rule-of-lenity-922q.html https://federal-alert.com/blog/2025/09/metcalf-fair-notice-rule-of-lenity-922q.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 The Ninth Circuit dismissed a Gun-Free School Zone Act charge where state licensing ambiguity meant the defendant lacked fair notice. Lenity controlled.