A brief look behind the Federal Sentencing Reporter thanks to our new publisher
In this post a few months ago, I flagged not only the first issue of Volume 37 of the Federal Sentencing Reporter (titled “Booker at Twenty“), but also that FSR had a shiny new publisher, Duke University Press, as well as shiny new co-editor, Jonathan Wroblewski. Now I am pleased to see that Duke University Press has up on its blog this new entry with some behind the scenes content titled “Five Questions with Douglas Berman, Steve Chanenson, and Jonathan Wroblewski, Co-Editors of Federal Sentencing Reporter.” I recommend the full entry, and here I will except the introduction and one of the questions (and answers):
New to Duke University Press in 2025, the Federal Sentencing Reporter explores in detail the complex sector of sentencing law, practice, and theory. Each issue is organized around a central topic or theme and features articles, cases, and other primary materials written by judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys, probation officers, scholars, and members of sentencing commissions. Today, we are sharing insight from the editors about the journal, editorial process, and upcoming special issues….
An upcoming issue will explore the influence of Artificial Intelligence in the criminal justice system. Can you give us a sneak peek into the issue and what we might read?
The role of artificial intelligence and data analytics is growing across American life and culture. These tools are increasingly part — and an important component — of the criminal justice process. To be an effective advocate, jurist, probation officer, other criminal justice professional, and/or policymaker now and into the future, will require an understanding of these tools, how they are and might be used, and how they ought to be regulated and governed. With that in mind, FSR has ventured to put together an issue that will help further that understanding. Whether you are an expert AI user, whether you’ve played around with some of the tools but are not quite clear of the criminal justice applications and their pitfalls, or whether you have never touched AI or have no idea what AI, risk assessments, or other analytical tools are about, this issue is for you. The issue explores both AI and algorithmic risk assessments; some of the ways they are being deployed now in the criminal justice process; how they can both mitigate and exacerbate biases; and the extent to which the criminal justice system is equipped to deal with their expanding footprint in the system. Expect a mix of technical, ethical, and legal perspectives as we help readers explore and better understand this rapidly developing disruption to the criminal justice process.