Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) promulgated the Dosimetry Law on Friday, May 8, 2026 [1], reducing penalties for those convicted in the Jan. 8 anti-democratic acts [1].

The move is significant because it directly impacts the legal standing of numerous individuals imprisoned for the riots and could specifically benefit former President Jair Bolsonaro [1]. By lowering the sentencing thresholds, the law alters the judicial landscape for those accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

The promulgation follows a legislative battle in the Brazilian Senate. On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the Senate voted to overturn a presidential veto issued by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva [1, 2]. The veto had sought to block the project that reduces the sentences of the convicted [1].

Under the Brazilian constitutional framework, the Senate was required to act within a specific timeframe to finalize the process. Alcolumbre signed the measure to comply with this constitutional deadline [1]. The law is scheduled for publication in the Diário Oficial da União, the official gazette of the federal government [1].

Legal analysts said the Dosimetry Law will lead to a review of current sentences. Because the law modifies how penalties are calculated, many convicts may see their prison terms shortened, or be eligible for alternative sentencing options [1].

This legislative action marks a pivot in the government's handling of the Jan. 8 events. While the judiciary initially handed down severe penalties to deter future unrest, the legislative branch has now intervened to mitigate those consequences [1].

“The measure could benefit former President Jair Bolsonaro.”

The enactment of the Dosimetry Law represents a significant legislative check on the judiciary's sentencing of the January 8 rioters. By overriding President Lula's veto, the Senate has signaled a political shift toward leniency for the right-wing protesters, potentially easing the legal pressure on Jair Bolsonaro and other high-profile figures associated with the movement.