Sentencing
Feds May Release 19,500 Early in Crack Cases
Posted Nov 12, 2007, 01:43 pm CDT
By Martha Neil
The U.S. Sentencing Commission reportedly is considering an unprecedented proposal for a mass commutation of disproportionately harsh sentences meted out in drug cases involving crack cocaine.
If approved, it is expected to affect one in 10 federal prisoners and reduce their sentences by about two years, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The Justice Department, the newspaper says, opposes the mass sentence commutation and is warning of dire consequences, including a potential increase in violent crime, if it goes through and some 19,500 prisoners are released early. However, many federal judges, inmate advocates and civil rights groups say it is simply a matter of fairness.
"The far-reaching move," the Times writes, "is aimed at addressing what is seen as an unfair disparity in federal cocaine laws dating to the mid-1980s that have imposed much harsher punishment on crack cocaine users and dealers than in powder cocaine cases. About 80% of those sentenced on federal crack charges every year are African American."
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Comments
Posted by J.D. - 10 months, 4 weeks, 17 hours, 37 minutes ago
You can thank the ABA when you see an increase in crack dealers in your neighborhood. Instead of pushing for harsher sentences for powder users (in order to balance crack and powder sentencing), the ABA pushed for WEAKER sentences for crack users. What a ridiculous decision.
And the claim that the ABA is supporting this because crack sentences disproportionately affect blacks is a joke. THE IMPACT of this commutation will disproportionately fall on black neighborhoods throughout the country. This is not a good thing.
Of course, the elitist ABA attorneys will continue to live in their penthouses and white picket fence communities, completely ignorant of the fact that black neighborhoods will see increased drug deals and crime.
Another sad day for the ABA.
Posted by cwilson - 10 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes ago
Go afther the franlucus of the world.Instead of the world.Instead of the Small time dealers doing lonn
Fare Justice