( CNN ) -- A former defense lawyer imprisoned for aiding a convicted terrorist 's communication from prison to his terrorist group was released from prison Tuesday evening , after a judge ordered the `` compassionate release . '' U.S. District Judge John Koeltl granted a motion filed by federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to reduce the sentence of outspoken lawyer Lynne Stewart , who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2010 . Stewart 's `` terminal medical condition and very limited life expectancy constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons that warrant the requested reduction , '' Koeltl wrote in his order . `` ... It is further ordered that the defendant shall be released from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons as soon as her medical condition permits , the release plan is implemented and travel arrangements can be made . '' Stewart arrived in New York early Wednesday afternoon and is with her son and his family in Brooklyn , according to her lawyer , Jill Shellow . `` I know that she is very happy to be home , '' said Shellow . `` I believe her immediate plan is to seek medical attention at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center . '' Stewart , who is 74 and has breast cancer , was known for representing poor and sometimes unpopular clients as a defense attorney . In 1995 , she represented the blind cleric Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman , who was convicted of a long list of terrorist activities , including his part in a plot to blow up American military installations . Abdel-Rahman is serving life in prison . The motion filed Tuesday asked the court to release Stewart from a Texas prison because her cancer has metastasized to the lung and bone , and oncologists estimate her life expectancy to be less than 18 months . The filing said her medical condition was `` terminal and incurable '' and cited the `` relatively limited risk '' of recidivism and danger to the community from her release . Shellow told CNN her client 's supporters were `` overjoyed that she will spend her remaining days with her family . '' In 2000 , Stewart broke her agreement to abide by measures set by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons . Those measures stipulated that Abdel-Rahman not be permitted any contact with his organization , Islamic Group . After visiting Abdel-Rahman in prison , Stewart passed on a message from him to his Islamic Group followers : that Islamic Group should reconsider a cease-fire in attacks against the Egyptian government . Stewart was disbarred in 2007 and began serving her 28-month sentence in November 2009 . In 2010 , Koeltl revised his initial sentencing of Stewart from 28 months to 10 years in prison . Wearing navy blue prison garb and handcuffs , Stewart entered a crowded courtroom to a standing ovation . `` The pain is overwhelming '' said Stewart , who paused to compose herself several times while speaking . `` Prison has diminished me . '' CNN 's Morgan Winsor and Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report .
NEW : Stewart is released from jail after a judge 's order . Lynne Stewart was sentenced to 2010 in prison in 10 years . She aided a convicted terrorist 's communication from prison to his terrorist group . She is 2010 and has a terminal , incurable illness .