← Legal Glossary
Extraordinary and compelling reasons
Definition
The statutory standard under Section 3582(c)(1)(A) that must be met before a court can reduce a federal prisoner's sentence. Congress did not define the phrase specifically but delegated to the Sentencing Commission to provide guidance. The phrase sets a deliberately high bar for relief.
Examples
- •The central dispute in this case is whether legal errors or perceived unfairness in a conviction can qualify as extraordinary and compelling, or whether only personal circumstances like terminal illness do.