Rutherford v. United States · ¶33

The compassionate release provision empowers a district court to “reduce the term of imprisonment” if it finds, among other things, that “extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant such a reduction.” Ibid. The term “extraordinary” means “most unusual,” “far from common,” or “having little or no precedent.” Webster's Third New International Dictionary 807 (1976); see 5 Oxford English Dictionary 614 (2d ed. 1989) (“[o]ut of the usual or regular course or order”). “Compelling,” meanwhile, means “tending to convince or convert by or as if by forcefulness of evidence.” Webster's Third New International Dictionary, at 463; see 3 Oxford English Dictionary, at 600 (“irresistible; demanding attention, respect”). Putting these definitions together, “extraordinary and compelling” reasons for compassionate release are those that are especially unusual and convincing.

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