Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
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Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR
Since last post: 1 day
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|  #1 Posted on 13.1.05 0119.53 | Instant Rating: 8.81 | http://www.news-leader.com/today/0113-Justicesre-274058.html
Will this be the end of mandatory minimum sentences?
I am interested to see how this plays out in the war on drugs. A move like this makes it much more interesting when a Federal jurisdiction tries to overrule a state law (I'm thinking of California's medical marijuana laws here).
What's the buzz in your area? Are people upset or happy about this in your state?
Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.| Promote this thread! |           | DrDirt
Banger
Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country
Since last post: 25 days
Last activity: 10 hours
| #2 Posted on 13.1.05 1056.57 | Instant Rating: 8.00 | Guru, I am not a fan of mandatory sentencing. We hire judges to "judge". Circumstances that may dictate a harsher or lesser sentence (especially the three-strikes stuff)are unable to be taken into account and mandatory sentencing becomes counter-productive. Mandatory sentencing is also a reason our prisons are so full, often with people more a danger to themselves than anyone else. Often treatment of community service would be of more value to all involved.
I don't think this is even on the radar in flyover country with weather concerns and state legislatures getting most of the press.
edit: stupid grammar and big mistake.
(edited by DrDirt on 13.1.05 1058)
Perception is reality | Corajudo
Frankfurter
Since: 7.11.02
From: Dallas, TX
Since last post: 31 days
Last activity: 3 days
| #3 Posted on 13.1.05 1422.56 | Instant Rating: 6.16 | This issue seems to be below the radar for the vast majority of people. I’m in agreement with DrDirt in regards to mandatory sentencing.
However, to bring up one dissenting point, a friend of mine is a prosecuting attorney. He is worried that people who have committed crimes will be less likely to plea bargain, which would clog up the courts even more. His concern is that if criminals realize that more of the sentencing is up to the judge’s discretion, then the benefit (or at least the perceived benefit) of plea bargaining will decline. And, to the extent that this happens, the legal system would operate even more slowly than it does now.
| Iago
Chourico
Since: 17.2.04
From: Eugene, Oregon
Since last post: 2614 days
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| #4 Posted on 13.1.05 2316.50 | Instant Rating: 5.25 | Those that know about it here are happy. Of course Lane County, OR produces a HUGE amount of meth and such. And there are a lot of marijuana growers in these here parts. So that may be why they are happy, but I know of at least a few people who've tried to bring this to centerstage in discussion around here... But it's been a little while.
I've got many character flaws, humility isn't one. |
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