Court Weighs Revisions in Cocaine-Case Sentences

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Source: NY Times

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about an aspect of one of the greatest controversies in American criminal law: the differing treatment of crack and powder cocaine.

“I’ve been a judge for nearly 20 years,” said Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the only member of the current court who has served as a trial judge, “and I don’t know that there’s one law that has created more controversy or more discussion about its racial impact than this one.”

Crack and powder cocaine are two forms of the same drug. But, until recently, a drug dealer selling crack cocaine was subject to the same sentence as one selling 100 times as much powder.

In 2010, Congress enacted the Fair Sentencing Act, which reduced the disparity to 18 to 1, at least for people who committed their crimes after the law became effective that Aug. 3. That means many defendants caught with small amounts of crack are no longer subject to mandatory 5- or 10-year prison sentences.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/supreme-court-weighs-revisions-in-cocaine-case-sentences.html

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Interesting how this was essentially hush hush in the M$M.

despite their penchant for seeking out "sex, drugs, and rock & roll". It's an important issue that has wracked so many communities that are negatively impacted by a dysfunctional justice system.

Thanks for posting!