Sentencing Resources

CIC has created several resources for attorneys and judges to consider before sentencing a parent in a criminal proceeding, including:

  • Family Impact Statements Report (2024) – When a parent is being sentenced, their role as a caregiver and the impact that incarceration may have on their children is rarely discussed. The use of Family Impact Statements could change that. This comprehensive report by CIC student researcher Bekah Muta examines the limits and possibilities of using Family Impact Statements during a parent’s pretrial or sentencing.
  • A summary of relevant federal laws
  • A template for Minnesota state sentencing memorandum
  • A report on the harms of parental incarceration
  • A summary of international laws on consideration of the best interests of children when a parent faces incarceration
  • A law review article on the harms of parental incarceration and the consideration of family relationships at sentencing