Brazil Supreme Court evaluates law to potentially reduce Bolsonaro's sentence

Members of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) are considering the ‘Lei da Dosimetria’ (Dosimetry Law) as a potential alternative to the criminal review requested by former President Jair Bolsonaro. While Bolsonaro’s defense seeks to annul his 27-year sentence related to coup attempts, the Dosimetry Law—Law No. 15.402—could instead reduce his prison term without overturning the conviction itself.

The law, which was passed after Congress overrode a presidential veto, modifies the Penal Code and the Law of Penal Execution. It establishes new criteria for sentence progression and reduction for those convicted of crimes against the Democratic Rule of Law, specifically targeting those involved in the January 8, 2023, attacks. Defense calculations suggest the law could reduce Bolsonaro’s sentence by between 2 years and 5 months to 3 years.

The constitutionality of the law is currently being challenged through four direct actions of unconstitutionality. The Prosecutor General, Paulo Gonet Branco, has issued an opinion against suspending the law, arguing there is no flagrant irregularity that justifies halting its effectiveness. The STF is expected to analyze these challenges following the elections.