Jonah Spangenthal-Lee over at SeattleCrime.com had a neat scoop yesterday: In an effort to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation, City Attorney Pete Holmes has changed the way city prosecutors seek sentences for misdemeanor crimes.

Previously, prosecutors typically sought a 365-day sentence for gross misdemeanors. A 365-day sentence means a gross misdemeanor can be bumped up to an "aggravated felony," allowing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to review the person for deportation. Defense attorneys would typically seek a maximum 364 day sentence for immigrants, sending up a red flag for ICE to review the defendant's immigration status.

Under the new policy, the maximum sentence for a gross misdemeanor will be 364 days, "so that ICE agents won't be immediately tipped off that someone might have questionable immigration status."

Jonah had the story yesterday; Holmes sent out a press release about the new policy late this morning.