New York State Votes to Reduce Drug Sentences

[HootieMcBoob]

This is a big deal.

ALBANY, Dec. 7 - After years of false starts, state lawmakers voted Tuesday evening to reduce the steep mandatory prison sentences given to people convicted of drug crimes in New York State, sanctions considered among the most severe in the nation.

The push to soften the so-called Rockefeller drug laws came after a nearly decade-long campaign to ease the drug penalties instituted in the 1970's that put some low-level first-time drug offenders behind bars for sentences ranging from 15 years to life.

Under the changes passed yesterday, which Gov. George E. Pataki said he would sign, the sentence for those same offenders would be reduced to 8 to 20 years in prison. The law will allow more than 400 inmates serving lengthy prison terms on those top counts to apply to judges to get out of jail early.

The changes reflected a nationwide push in recent years to lessen some of the punishments for drug offenders, as states like Michigan and Pennsylvania have moved to emphasize drug treatment options or to give judges more discretion in sentencing those convicted of narcotics crimes.

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http://nytimes.com/2004/12/08/nyregion/08albany.html?hp&ex=1102482000&en=979ebd6c92d617e1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[thoughtanarchist]

1. It's a baby step

...but in the right direction...


smoke 'em if you got 'em!


:smoke:

[VegasWolf]

2. and if you ain't got em, borrow em. n/t

[annabanana]

3. Jiminy! It's about damn time

There was some movement on this, Cripes!

[Poppyseedman]

4. Now lets see this move across the country

It's about time drug laws in this country reflected a bit more common sense.

First time offenders should never be jailed. Everybody makes a mistake and needs to chance to do better. Nobody should spend a day in jail over weed unless your are a major dealer, than it should be for tax evasion.

Dealers of hard drugs that addict should be at least locked up for life.

Personally, I won't blink an eye if they all received the death penalty.

[goodboy]

5. A small move in the right direction. I wonder how much we could reduce

our national debt if marijuana was regulated by the govt. like it is in Holland.

Furthermore, not prosecuting and imprisoning non-violent drug offenders will free up prison space for BushCo and the rest of the neo-fascists.

[depakid]

6. Trust me, it's all about the $$$

It's damned expensive to house all those petty drug offenders-

California's learning that the hard way with their ridiculous 3 strikes law that sends peple to prison for life for stupid things like swiping pizza's.

[goodboy]

7. the alcohol manufacturers will be decriminalization's staunchest

opponents...second to the religious fundies, (which goes without saying of course) who only abuse booze and prescription drugs.

[Moderator]

8. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1053029