Pubdate: Sat, 03 Jun 2017
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Kevin Ring
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v17/n180/a09.html
Note: Headline by newshawk

MANDATORY SENTENCES OFTEN HIT THE MINNOWS

Under federal law, anyone convicted of selling just five grams of
methamphetamine-the weight of a nickel-is subject to a mandatory
five-year prison term. Get caught buying or selling a second time, no
matter how many years after your first offense, and you will be
subject to a 10-year mandatory prison sentence.

Ms. Mac Donald may pretend that mandatory sentences are reserved for
the likes of El Chapo, but the truth is mandatory sentences are more
often used against low-level offenders. Ninety-three percent of people
who receive federal mandatory minimums played no leadership role in
their crimes. There are lots of minnows and few sharks.

There are simply no studies that show mandatory sentences reduce drug
crime. Every dollar wasted on mandatory minimums is one that would be
better invested in proven anticrime strategies like hiring more police
officers and expanding substance abuse treatment.

Kevin Ring

President

Families Against Mandatory Minimums

Washington
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MAP posted-by: Matt