U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Sentence Reductions for “Scarecrow Bandits” Under First Step Act

In a closely divided 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that the “Scarecrow Bandits,” a group of bank robbers hailing from the Dallas area, are now eligible for reduced sentences. The ruling reflects the implications of the 2018 First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law designed to eliminate harsh “stacked” sentences. Notably, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson articulated the majority opinion, highlighting that the defendants could qualify for these lighter sentences under the law, even though their criminal activities preceded the law’s enactment. For more detailed insights, [read the full article](https://www.law.com/2025/06/26/split-supreme-court-allows-lighter-sentences-for-bank-robbers-dubbed-scarecrow-bandits/?slreturn=20250626135554) on Law.com.