Holder endorses proposed drug sentencing changes

[jsr]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder is endorsing a proposal that would result in shorter prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug traffickers, saying the change would rein in bloated federal prison costs and create a fairer criminal justice system.

Holder was to appear Thursday before the U.S. Sentencing Commission, where he was scheduled to announce his support for a commission proposal to lower the guideline penalties for certain drug crimes.

"This overreliance on incarceration is not just financially unsustainable, it comes with human and moral costs that are impossible to calculate," Holder said in excerpts of his testimony, obtained by The Associated Press in advance.

The harshest penalties, he said, should be reserved for "dangerous and violent drug traffickers."

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/holder-endorses-proposed-drug-sentencing-changes

[Nanjing to Seoul]

1. How about legalizing them, taxing them heavily and making the maximum drug sentence

zero years?

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. Yes, but in the mean time, let's at least cut sentences.

But that is just a back-end solution. We need a front-end solution that involves not getting people caught up in the criminal justice system meat grinder in the first place.

[MADem]

3. That's probably the next step. They've got to empty the jails first. nt

[Tx4obama]

4. Additional article

New Justice Department Policy Will Cut Federal Drug Sentences

Attorney General Eric Holder will announce a new policy on Thursday that may shorten sentences for federal drug offenders as part of his "Smart on Crime" initiative.

Holder is set to testify in front of the U.S. Sentencing Commission on Thursday and endorse changes to the commission's Drug Quantity Table. The changes would mean a two-level reduction in ranges of sentences for people convicted of federal drug crimes. For example, someone convicted of trafficking more than one kilogram of heroin, five kilograms of cocaine or 280 grams of crack would now trigger a Level 32 sentence -- 121 months to 151 months. If the Sentencing Commission passes the changes, it reduce that punishment to 97 months to 121 months.

In the meantime, Holder is instructing federal prosecutors not to object to any requests for sentence reductions based on the guidelines being considered by the commission. That means people serving time for federal drug crimes who ask for a reduction based on the proposed guidelines should receive one.

The government said the proposed change will affect 69.9 percent of drug trafficking offenders and will reduce the average sentence of a drug offender by about 11 months, or 17.7 percent of the average sentence.

-snip-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13/eric-holder-drug-policy_n_4953468.html

[Cha]

5. Kick for Holder on board. thanks jsr

[mucifer]

6. I'm curious about why he waited so long to do this.

[otherone]

7. bloated federal prison costs and create a fairer criminal justice system.

[seabeckind]

8. At least he's keeping busy

doing innocuous stuff that doesn't threaten the PRICs (people really in charge).

I can think of a number of things the highest law enforcement prosecutor in the country might work on. None of them include penalties set by states -- unless those penalties violate the constitution.

You know, that piece of paper he took an oath to uphold -- against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

How about the voting rights? Think that might fall within his purview?

How freedom from religion and the separation of church and state?

How about freedom of information?

How about privacy?

How about ant-trust?

How about bank fraud?

How about corporate tax evasion?

How about environmental damage that crosses state lines? (you know, like chemicals shoved in the water in WV that goes other places)

Oh, f'it.

[warrant46]

9. Behind the Curtain --Holder is a Captive and Servant of the 1%

And a Lackey of Big Corporations.

Once he is done in his present Low Paying Job he will go and Feed at the Corporate Trough