Comments on: “Crack” vs. powder cocaine: The sentencing dilemma

By: B. A. Lert

B. A. Lert — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:47:47 +0000

With respect to the “Comment by A.B Cereck”, the question is not about whether or not one should “do illegal drugs”, but instead what a proportionate and just response should be for different levels of illegal activity. For example, jaywalking is illegal, but a mandatory sentence of 20 years would be clearly unjust and disproportionate, especially if the sentence for running a red light were 2 days in county jail. Sentences should be (a) just (i.e., consistent relative to other offenses) and (b) proportionate (representative of the true cost to society as a whole). In addition, the possibilities for genuine reform should also be weighed; drug treatment programs have a high rate of success, especially for first-time offenders, and should be given a chance to work.

By: A.B Cereck

A.B Cereck — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:24:44 +0000

Here is a thought – DON’T do illegal drugs??

By: Beyonna Belton

Beyonna Belton — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:26:13 +0000

I hope this law changes soon. It will not only shorten the sentences of mostly black men, who are fathers, sons and brothers. But it will also help bring these families back together. It will free people who have been in jail for over a decade because of this law which is ridiculous. For a drug dealer to have a longer sentence then a rapist or killer is nothing but modern day slavery. Poor neighborhoods sell crack. Cocaine is known as the rich man’s drug. the crime rate has gone down the war on drugs is calmer then before please let the people go who were just trying to feed they’re families. Stop building jails or at least make these jail’s rehabilitation institutes so that when they are released they have some idea of what to expect in they’re new world.

By: Cynthia Berry

Cynthia Berry — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:25:53 +0000

Please consider this change(reducing) in federal sentencing guidelines. The scales of justice should balance, they have the attendency to weigh lighter for the rich and heavier for the poor. Under the federal law regarding crack vs cocaine most definitely is not fair. Keep in mind that crack comes from cocaine. The Rich and wealthy people put cocaine into the hands of the poor. Cocaine is known as the rich man’s high.

The law is for the wealthy. You can have 500 times more cocaine compare to 5 gram of crack. Once, again…remember crack comes from cocaine. Cocaine comes from wealthty users and dealers.
Comparing numbers in federal prisons 82% African-Americans in prison for crack (are serving 20yrs to Life. Whites for cocaine are 80%, but serving
less time 5 to 10 yrs. Please make me understand the substance in this particular law. Baby rapers get less time.

By: john mills

john mills — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:06:06 +0000

I am a 31 year old black male, convicted of only 1 felony in the year 2000. Have other old misdemeanors. I cannot get my record expunged, was charged with 16 grams of crack cocaine. I was just wondering that with the new law that is being presented goes into effect, could my felony be overturned. I made a plea agreement to which my felony would be dropped from a felony 2 into a felony 3.Had this been 16 grams of cocaine, I would not have gotten the year that I served. I would have gotten treatment instead. I have had a clean record ever since, yet the felony hanging over my head, prevents me from getting gainful employment.

By: Cherissa Douglas

Cherissa Douglas — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:34:56 +0000

well 15 yrs is a win, the maximum would have been much better due to the fact that there are more severe punishments for other crimes.

By: Old Cowhand

Old Cowhand — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:30:04 +0000

A win here should just attack the sentence, not the conviction itself. The only question is whether his sentence was legal.

-Doug Hass

By: Joe Paulson

Joe Paulson — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:47:31 +0000

A win here is 15 years? Or, is it “win?”