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Crack Reform
News
July 14, 2010
(Roll Call)
End the Crack/Powder Cocaine Sentencing Disparity Former administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration and former Republican Congressman from Arkansas calls for an end to the crack cocaine sentencing disparity in Roll Call. He writes: "Elena Kagan’s nomination for the Supreme Court has once again reminded America that fairness and equal treatment are fundamental to the success of the rule of law. One of the most important criminal justice debates in recent history centers on the substantial difference in prison sentences for crack versus powdered cocaine possession, a disparity that has not only encouraged a misapplication of limited law enforcement resources, but more importantly, has been the source of unequal punishment for basically identical crimes."
June 4, 2010
(Boston Globe)
Holder sees drug courts as a lifeline "U.S" Attorney General Eric H. Holder, speaking in Boston yesterday at the nation’s largest conference on drugs and crime, said drug courts play a key role in rehabilitating addicts and reducing crime and should be available to more people, especially juveniles," the Boston Globe reported. "'At my Justice Department this is a top priority,' said Holder, speaking to several thousand people at the Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center during the National Association of Drug Court Professionals 16th annual training conference. 'You have proven that redemption and rehabilitation are possible.’'"
March 28, 2010
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Cocaine sentencing inequity goes to top court "Senior U.S. District Judge Alan N. Bloch is known for handing down tough sentences. That's why it was so surprising when, at Percy Dillon's sentencing for selling crack and powder cocaine in 1993, Judge Bloch said on the record that he thought the young man was getting a raw deal," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. At the time of sentencing, the judge stated: "I don't say to you that these penalties are fair. I don't think they are fair.I think they are entirely too high for the crime you have committed even though it is a serious crime." The Judge, however, said that he felt bound by mandatory sentencing guidelines.
March 25, 2010
(Various)
Crack Cocaine Sentencing Legislation Momentum Gaining in the Media Following the Senate's passage of the Fairness in Sentencing Act of 2010 on March 17, a host of media coverage including editorials and op-ed columns have appeared both applauding reform, and rasising concerns about the Senate’s decision to not completely eliminate the crack cocaine sentencing disparity. The bill, which would decrease the quantity disparity from 100 to 1 to 18 to 1, raises the trigger amount of crack cocaine for the 5-year mandatory minimum from 5 grams to 28 grams, and the trigger for a 10-year mandatory minimum from 50 grams to 280 grams. Advocates, organizations and newspaper editorial boards are weighing in on the Senate’s unanimous passage of the bill, and the need for the House to vote in kind.
March 17, 2010
(NPR, North Country Gazette)
In an Historic Move, Senate Reduces Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity Under unanimous consent, the Senate today for the first time passed legislation that would end the controversial 100 to 1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing. The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 would decrease the quantity disparity to 18 to 1. The bill moves on to the House for action. |
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