home

Crack Cocaine Sentence Cuts Now Underway

The new sentencing guidelines with reductions in crack cocaine sentences went into effect two days ago.

In two days, the courts have granted 400 motions for sentence reductions. A few inmates have been able to leave jail immediately.

These reductions are modest in size, don't apply to everyone and should be heralded by everyone concerned about justice and fairness. The exceptions, not surprisingly, are the Bush Administration and Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who continue to criticize the reductions.

Sentencing Law and Policy has much more on how the implementation of the reductions is progressing.

I'm looking forward to a Democratic President in November who will provide Congress with an impetus to move on legislation that will eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder once and for all, and also reduce or eliminate the true cancer on the criminal justice system -- mandatory minimum drug sentences.

< New Felon Disfranchisement Awareness Project Underway | Rezko Jury Selected: Opening Arguments Tomorrow >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    Good sign (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by sonya on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 02:14:02 PM EST
    Jeralyn, I'm in total agreement with you, especially about the elimination of mandatory minimums.  Those minimums have given prosecutors entirely too much discretion, which too many of them have abused.

    Great Post and def. important topic. (none / 0) (#1)
    by Independence33 on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 01:51:11 PM EST
    Finally we are starting to see some movement towards common sense in our sentencing laws that have been arbitrary and racist for to long. In prior posts I have disagreed with you Jeralyn but we are on the same page on this one. I respect you alot for bringing up this contreversial issue. Now for the other part. I would really like for you to help me break down what our candidates on the Democrat side believe. On Obamas website he makes a specific point that these laws should be abolished and this disparity between crack and powder should be done away with. Clinton doesnt mention it and Marc Ambinder says she is against it. What do you think?

    Cool.... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 01:54:27 PM EST
    but when we wise up and make the sentence zero, because it's no longer a crime, then I'll be really excited.  

    This is merely a band-aid to the fundamental problem...drug prohibition.

    sweet (none / 0) (#3)
    by DandyTIger on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 02:07:01 PM EST
    I too would like to see the dem candidates comment on this. It's so obviously clear cut and fair that all forms of cocaine should have the same punishment that they shouldn't be afraid of alienating the great middle.

    I also agree, this whole crap of a war against drugs is really brain damaged. Can only be from the minds of some serious users. :-) And just think of all the tax benefits of legalizing most drugs. And I'm even willing to say for some really strong ones that they be prescription based. But illegal. Come on.

    Serious users allright.... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 02:18:27 PM EST
    all that borbon and scotch in the congressional lounge is killing their brain cells:)

    Parent
    They Have Commented (none / 0) (#4)
    by squeaky on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 02:10:37 PM EST
    Jeralyn, whom do you credit (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 03:58:43 PM EST
    with (1) reducing the disparity in sentences between crack and powder cocaine, and (2) obtaining retroactivity?

    man, it's veritable crickets in here. (none / 0) (#8)
    by kangeroo on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 08:54:54 PM EST
    i guess the pres election has sucked all of the oxygen out of the room.  thanks for posting on this, jeralyn; it helps to remind folks that there's more at stake in this whole politics thing than electing the next american idol.

    Who are Randy and Paula supporting?...lol (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 10:34:48 AM EST
    David Chuleta, I think. (none / 0) (#10)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 11:40:28 AM EST
    The kid's unbelievable.

    Parent
    Crack Cocaine Sentence Cuts Now Underway (none / 0) (#11)
    by Wounded on Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 11:56:58 AM EST
    Not to try to undermine the thinking of some of the law makers' but.

    Cocaine and meth amphetamine are taking the lives' of our children.

    So are the people that cook and the fact that too many mandatory laws' are being dropped daily by the US prosecutors and our little peon County prosecutors.

    Sentence reduction and incompetent law enforcement and prosecutors have let us down in East Texas.

    Just check into the four meth death's in the county of Cass Texas. In that case one US prosecutor dropped a mandatory 35 years on a fully automatic fire arm.
    Just to clean their plates'.

    It is also the place where the disable black man was beaten and left to die.

    You know the sun down town of Linden Tx.

    I don't feel it is right. One reduction then another and another then their out killing our children again.  Go make logic out of that.

    Good day. ;')