Justice Kennedy attacks US sentencing measures

[Judi Lynn]

Justice Kennedy attacks US sentencing measures
Web posted at: 8/10/2003 6:50:39
Source ::: REUTERS

SAN FRANCISCO: US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy told the nation’s largest legal group yesterday that US sentencing guidelines are too tough, marking the latest salvo in the judiciary’s battle with the Justice Department and the US Congress.

Kennedy also told the American Bar Association that mandatory minimum sentences were unnecessary. His speech at the group’s annual meeting came shortly after US Attorney General John Ashcroft directed federal prosecutors to report on judges who issue lighter sentences than what is recommended by the federal sentencing guidelines.

“Our resources are misspent, our punishments too severe, our sentences too long,” Kennedy said in remarks prepared for delivery. He added that the federal sentencing guidelines were partly responsible for the increase in federal prison terms.

While the guidelines were and are necessary to reduce the disparity among sentences given by different judges, they have also led to an increase in prison terms, he said. (snip/...)

~~~~ link ~~~~

[NashVegas]

1. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=59246