MANDATORY MINIMUM DRUG SENTENCE REFORM STILL FACES CHALLENGES
September 6, 2017
While drug cases have dropped, more substantial federal reform still elusive
WILL NEW YORK CITY’S NEW MARIJUANA POLICY LEAD TO COURT OVERCROWDING?
November 29, 2014
The old way of dealing with people found in possession of marijuana has been slowly changing, not only in Colorado and Washington, but in New York City as well. In a historic change, a policy went into effect last week where city cops will stop arresting people on low-level marijuana charges. Instead, if you are caught with less than 25 grams of weed, you will be given a ticket to appear in court (This policy will not apply to people observed smoking on the street. They will still be arrested). If found guilty of the non-criminal violation, a first-time offender will face a fine of $100.
MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO THE FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES
September 9, 2014
On April 30, 2014, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to Congress an Amendment that would reduce the sentencing guideline levels applicable to most federal drug trafficking offenses. The Amendment will reduce the base offense levels assigned to quantities that trigger the statutory mandatory minimum penalties. This Amendment is scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2014, and will apply retroactively. Practically, what does this mean?