Judges Look to New Congress for Changes in Mandatory Sentencing Laws

[madmusic]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 — Federal sentencing laws that require lengthy mandated prison terms for certain offenses are expected to come under fresh scrutiny as Democrats assume control of Congress.

Among those eagerly awaiting signs of change are federal judges, including many conservatives appointed by Republican presidents. They say the automatic sentences, determined by Congress, strip judges of individual discretion and result in ineffective, excessive penalties, often for low-level offenders.

Judges have long been critical of the automatic prison terms, referred to as mandatory minimum sentences, which were most recently enacted by Congress in 1986 in part to stem the drug trade. Now influential judges across the ideological spectrum say that the combination of Democratic leadership and growing Republican support for modest change may provide the best chance in years for a review of the system.

“With a changing of the guard, there should at least should be some discussion,” said William W. Wilkins, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/washington/09sentencing.html?ei=5088&en=8ec1095285a39515&ex=1325998800&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Whos this Senator Jeff Sessions, Republican of Alabama, dude? Sounds like a Rethug.

[Mythsaje]

1. They should DAMN WELL be looking at reforming

the marijuana laws as well...

[NYC Liberal]

2. Seconded.

This Congress has a lot of work ahead (despite Repukes complaining about their 5-day work week).

[madmusic]

3. 5 days is a long time!

No one else could do that.

[Monkeyman]

4. Did I hear Smoke where where where

[porphyrian]

6. That's way overdue, too. - n/t

[porphyrian]

5. Thank God. This is way overdue. - n/t

[mrcheerful]

7. The sad thing is a news station in michigan is pushing mandatory

prison time after a sex offender was given probation for a second sex crime. The first crime was video taping his baby sitter sun bathing and the new case is viewing child abusive material on the internet. Along with probation, the offender is also barred from using a computer and having access to the internet. This happened in Flint Michigan. The station feels the offender got off easy yet again. Though they did leave out the part of the story on if said baby sitter was nude sun bathing or not and the age of the baby sitter.

[porphyrian]

8. Good thing the news station doesn't make policy. Bad that they will convince many...

...who think it must be true if it's on the news. And in Flint, huh? Yeah, we better punish the poor people far more harshly to set an example so they don't get all uppity.