Washington Post: Crack-Cocaine Clemency Insufficient Mercy
Washington Post: Crack-cocaine Clemency Insufficient Mercy
Lawmakers are considering various ways to ease sentences — and the strain on the prison system — by applying new sentencing standards to old convictions. A bill sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, would require inmates …
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Sledgehammer justice
In 2008, an 851 notice was filed against Charles Doutre, based on two prior convictions for distribution of $ 50 worth of drugs and simple possession of drugs. The judge who was required to sentence him to life in prison said, “I've imposed a life …
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Former Spring Garden drug kingpin sentenced to 10 years for heroin possession
Lyles pleaded guilty in July to heroin possession. U.S. District Judge David Cercone started the hearing by noting that the mandatory minimum sentence for Lyles was higher than the sentence recommended by federal guidelines because of Lyles' criminal …
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Sentencing commission, suggested in Sacramento, faces long odds
Supporters argue that a steady accumulation of different regulations, layered on top of one another over time, has led to a labyrinth of sentencing guidelines. “There is a lot of disproportionate punishment in our penal code, and that's … Part of …
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