Focus (Forum & Focus)
Nov. 23, 2007
Injustice of Mandatory Minimums Has No Expiration Date
Forum Column - By Julie Stewart and Molly Gill - The U.S. Sentencing Commission's decision to decrease disparities between crack-and powder-cocaine convictions went a long way toward fostering equity. But the task will be complete only when the changes are applied retroactively.
By Julie Stewart and Molly Gill
For the first time in 21 years, penalties for federal crack cocaine offenses have been reduced. Thanks to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, the majority of crack offenders sentenced after Nov. 1 should receive sentences averaging more than a year shorter than those handed down before Nov. 1. That modest reform was greeted with enthusiasm by prisoners and their advocates. Now the commi...
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