Jones Day secures early termination of supervised relief for deserving pro bono client

Client(s) Bruce, Robert L., Jr.

In 1995, Robert Lee Bruce, Jr. was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a crack-distribution conspiracy. The Fourth Circuit affirmed his conviction and sentence on direct appeal in 1997.

In 2012, Jones Day represented Robert Lee Bruce, Jr. in a highly contested resentencing hearing in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The government strongly opposed any reduction in Mr. Bruce’s sentence. The Court, following a one day hearing, acknowledged Mr. Bruce’s profound progress during his incarceration and reduced his life sentence to a term that resulted in Mr. Bruce leaving prison in 2015.

Following his release, Mr. Bruce moved to Washington D.C. where he quickly and successfully integrated into the community – maintaining employment, volunteering in hospitals and juvenile detention centers, and marrying his high-school sweetheart.

Jones Day began discussions with Mr. Bruce’s probation officer in 2016 about ending Mr. Bruce’s term of supervised release so he could fully enjoy his freedom. With the support of his probation officer, Jones Day filed a motion for early termination of supervised release in early May of 2018. Less than a month later, the Court granted Mr. Bruce’s motion finding that his post-release conduct warranted termination and that the interests of justice were served in so doing.

United States v. Bruce, Crim., No. 5:94-30061 (W.D. Va.)