A federal sentence is hard to change once it is imposed. But federal law does allow a sentence to be reduced in a few specific situations: compassionate release for extraordinary and compelling reasons, a retroactive change to the Sentencing Guidelines, substantial assistance after sentencing, and a successful § 2255 motion.
This guide explains each path under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c) and related rules, what is required, and how these motions work for people sentenced in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.
The rule
Can a federal sentence be reduced after sentencing?
Only in the ways the law specifically allows.
Compassionate release
Under § 3582(c)(1)(A), for extraordinary and compelling reasons, after the person has asked the Bureau of Prisons first.
Retroactive guideline changes
Under § 3582(c)(2), when the Sentencing Commission lowers a guideline range and makes the change retroactive.
Substantial assistance
Under Rule 35(b), on the government’s motion, for cooperation provided after sentencing.
A Section 2255 motion
When the conviction or sentence was unconstitutional or unlawful, such as through ineffective assistance of counsel.
Compassionate release
How does compassionate release work in federal court?
Ask the warden first, then the court.
- Exhaustion. The person must first ask the warden to file a motion on their behalf. They can file in court after fully exhausting the BOP’s administrative appeals or 30 days after the warden received the request, whichever comes first.
- Extraordinary and compelling reasons. The Sentencing Commission’s policy statement describes categories such as serious medical conditions, advanced age with deterioration, certain family circumstances, abuse suffered while in custody, and other circumstances of similar gravity. Some categories have been challenged in the courts.
- The § 3553(a) factors. Even when reasons are extraordinary and compelling, the court must weigh the sentencing factors, including the seriousness of the offense and protection of the public.
- The result. The court may reduce the sentence and impose probation or supervised release for no longer than the unserved portion of the original term.
Strong motions are built on records: medical documentation, BOP records, release plans, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Guideline changes
Do retroactive guideline amendments lower my sentence?
Possibly, but not automatically.
When the Sentencing Commission lowers a guideline range and makes the change retroactive, § 3582(c)(2) allows a person sentenced under the old range to ask for a reduction. A recent example is the 2023 amendment that reduced criminal history “status points” and created the zero-point offender reduction, which the Commission made retroactive.
These are limited proceedings, not full resentencings (Dillon v. United States, 2010). The court recalculates the range with the amendment, considers the § 3553(a) factors, and decides whether and how much to reduce. A person whose sentence was set by a mandatory minimum may not benefit.
Other paths
What other ways are there to shorten a federal sentence?
Cooperation, a § 2255 motion, and credits earned in custody.
- Rule 35(b). The government may move to reduce a sentence for substantial assistance provided after sentencing, generally within one year, with exceptions for information that became useful later.
- Section 2255. A motion to vacate, set aside, or correct the sentence, generally within one year of the conviction becoming final.
- In-custody credits. Good conduct time, First Step Act time credits, and RDAP can reduce the time actually spent in prison, through the Bureau of Prisons rather than the court.
See Section 2255 motions, cooperation and Rule 35, and BOP credits and RDAP.
FAQ
Federal sentence reduction questions
Who can file a compassionate release motion?
The Director of the Bureau of Prisons, or the person in custody after asking the warden and either exhausting administrative appeals or waiting 30 days from the warden’s receipt of the request.
What counts as extraordinary and compelling?
The Sentencing Commission’s policy statement lists categories including serious medical conditions, age-related decline, certain family circumstances, abuse in custody, and other reasons of similar gravity. Each case is decided on its facts.
Is a 3582(c)(2) motion a full resentencing?
No. It is a limited proceeding to apply a retroactive guideline amendment. The court does not revisit other parts of the sentence.
Can a judge reduce a sentence just because I have done well in prison?
Under 28 U.S.C. § 994(t), rehabilitation alone is not an extraordinary and compelling reason, but it is relevant when combined with other extraordinary and compelling reasons and in weighing the sentencing factors.
Where is a sentence reduction motion filed?
In the district court that imposed the sentence, regardless of where the person is held. For Missouri sentences, that is the Eastern or Western District of Missouri.
See our federal criminal defense page, or call 573-638-8529.
Talk to us
A sentence is not always the last word.
If someone you love is serving a federal sentence from Missouri and circumstances have changed, call to talk about whether a reduction is possible.
Attorney advertising. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This article is general information about federal sentence reductions as of October 2026, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any motion depends on its facts.
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