With Legalized Pot in the Air, a Federal Trial Riles Advocates

Although some states have approved cannabis sales, the federal government still considers it a serious drug. That muddle was on display in a case where a man faced 10 years to life in prison.

#baltimore-md, #decisions-and-verdicts, #drug-abuse-and-traffic, #law-and-legislation, #mandatory-sentencing, #marijuana

The New York Times 7:00 am on March 24, 2022
Tags: Child Abuse and Neglect ( 271 ), conspiracy theories ( 224 ), Hawley, Josh D (1979- ) ( 76 ), Jackson, Ketanji Brown (1970- ) ( 102 ), Mandatory Sentencing, qanon ( 136 ), Republican Party ( 2,663 ), Sex Crimes ( 641 ), United States Politics and Government ( 9,030 )

QAnon Cheers Republican Attacks on Jackson. Democrats See a Signal.

Criticism of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s sentencing decisions emerged as a theme among Republicans — and renewed debate about the party’s stance toward QAnon.

#child-abuse-and-neglect, #conspiracy-theories, #hawley-josh-d-1979, #jackson-ketanji-brown-1970, #mandatory-sentencing, #qanon, #republican-party, #sex-crimes, #united-states-politics-and-government

The New York Times 11:13 pm on March 21, 2022
Tags: Appeals Courts (US) ( 95 ), Appointments and Executive Changes ( 985 ), Blackburn, Marsha ( 14 ), child pornography ( 43 ), Hawley, Josh D (1979- ) ( 76 ), Jackson, Ketanji Brown (1970- ) ( 102 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Sex Crimes ( 641 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 ), United States Sentencing Commission ( 4 )

Fact Checking Judge Jackson’s Record on Child Sexual Abuse

Republican lawmakers criticizing the Supreme Court nominee have taken the judge’s remarks and sentencing decisions out of context, distorting her record.

#appeals-courts-us, #appointments-and-executive-changes, #blackburn-marsha, #child-pornography, #hawley-josh-d-1979, #jackson-ketanji-brown-1970, #mandatory-sentencing, #sex-crimes, #supreme-court-us, #united-states-sentencing-commission

The New York Times 5:35 pm on March 7, 2022
Tags: Gorsuch, Neil M ( 65 ), Kagan, Elena ( 27 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Robberies and Thefts ( 111 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 )

Supreme Court Says 10 Burglaries Can Count as One Offense

The case concerned a federal law that calls for stiff sentences for gun crimes when the defendant had committed three felonies “on occasions different from one another.”

#gorsuch-neil-m, #kagan-elena, #mandatory-sentencing, #robberies-and-thefts, #supreme-court-us

The New York Times 11:46 pm on January 13, 2022
Tags: Adrian, Robert, Clinton, Drew, Decisions and Verdicts ( 424 ), Illinois ( 102 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Quincy (Ill), Sex Crimes ( 641 )

Judge Tosses Teen’s Sexual Assault Conviction, Drawing Outrage

Drew Clinton, 18, faced four years in prison under Illinois sentencing guidelines. But the judge, Robert Adrian, overturned his conviction this month, saying the sentence was “not just.”

#adrian-robert, #clinton-drew, #decisions-and-verdicts, #illinois, #mandatory-sentencing, #quincy-ill, #sex-crimes

The New York Times 10:16 pm on December 22, 2021
Tags: Aguilera-Mederos, Rogel ( 2 ), Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons ( 100 ), Colorado ( 178 ), Crime and Criminals ( 226 ), Denver (Colo) ( 33 ), Lakewood (Colo), Mandatory Sentencing, Traffic Accidents and Safety ( 233 )

Prosecutors Move to Reduce 110-Year Sentence for Trucker in Deadly Crash

After Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced in connection with a 2019 crash in Colorado that left four people dead, a district attorney asked a judge to reconsider the lengthy punishment.

#aguilera-mederos-rogel, #amnesties-commutations-and-pardons, #colorado, #crime-and-criminals, #denver-colo, #lakewood-colo, #mandatory-sentencing, #traffic-accidents-and-safety

The New York Times 9:00 am on June 17, 2021
Tags: Black People ( 2,797 ), Breyer, Stephen G ( 67 ), Capital Punishment ( 125 ), Cocaine and Crack Cocaine ( 27 ), Congressional Black Caucus ( 18 ), Crime and Criminals ( 226 ), Criminal Justice ( 132 ), Drug Abuse and Traffic ( 249 ), Ginsburg, Ruth Bader ( 162 ), Kagan, Elena ( 27 ), Mandatory Sentencing, National Assn for the Advancement of Colored People ( 35 ), Race and Ethnicity ( 1,889 ), Sotomayor, Sonia ( 46 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 ), Thomas, Clarence ( 76 )

Justice Sotomayor, the Supreme Court’s Truth Teller

In her opinions, Justice Sotomayor explains how Supreme Court cases are part of a larger unfolding story of where the country finds itself.

#black-people, #breyer-stephen-g, #capital-punishment, #cocaine-and-crack-cocaine, #congressional-black-caucus, #crime-and-criminals, #criminal-justice, #drug-abuse-and-traffic, #ginsburg-ruth-bader, #kagan-elena, #mandatory-sentencing, #national-assn-for-the-advancement-of-colored-people, #race-and-ethnicity, #sotomayor-sonia, #supreme-court-us, #thomas-clarence

The New York Times 5:44 pm on June 10, 2021
Tags: Alito, Samuel A Jr ( 81 ), Barrett, Amy Coney ( 212 ), Breyer, Stephen G ( 67 ), Gorsuch, Neil M ( 65 ), Gun Control ( 334 ), Kagan, Elena ( 27 ), Kavanaugh, Brett M ( 93 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Roberts, John G Jr ( 127 ), Sotomayor, Sonia ( 46 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 ), Thomas, Clarence ( 76 )

Supreme Court Limits Sweep of Law on Mandatory Minimum Sentences

Violent felonies committed recklessly do not count in deciding whether 15-year terms are required under the Armed Career Criminal Act, the justices ruled.

#alito-samuel-a-jr, #barrett-amy-coney, #breyer-stephen-g, #gorsuch-neil-m, #gun-control, #kagan-elena, #kavanaugh-brett-m, #mandatory-sentencing, #roberts-john-g-jr, #sotomayor-sonia, #supreme-court-us, #thomas-clarence

The New York Times 11:27 am on May 21, 2021
Tags: Bronx (NYC) ( 166 ), Colicchio, Tom ( 2 ), Colleges and Universities ( 899 ), Content Type: Personal Profile ( 2,375 ), Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) ( 13,490 ), Craft (Manhattan, NY, Restaurant), Drug Abuse and Traffic ( 249 ), Justice Department ( 812 ), Mandatory Sentencing, New York University ( 44 ), Obama, Barack ( 351 ), Riverpark (Manhattan, NY, Restaurant), Union Square (Manhattan, NY) ( 8 )

How a Former Drug Dealer Charts a Path for New York’s Renewal

After receiving a 30-year prison sentence, John Gargano won clemency, then rebuilt his career twice. Like New York City, he’s back on his game.

#bronx-nyc, #colicchio-tom, #colleges-and-universities, #content-type-personal-profile, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #craft-manhattan-ny-restaurant, #drug-abuse-and-traffic, #justice-department, #mandatory-sentencing, #new-york-university, #obama-barack, #riverpark-manhattan-ny-restaurant, #union-square-manhattan-ny

The New York Times 5:54 pm on April 22, 2021
Tags: Eighth Amendment (US Constitution) ( 13 ), Juvenile Delinquency ( 13 ), Kavanaugh, Brett M ( 93 ), Kennedy, Anthony M ( 12 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Prisons and Prisoners ( 293 ), Sotomayor, Sonia ( 46 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 )

Supreme Court Rejects Limits on Life Terms for Youths

The court, which has for years been cutting back on harsh punishments for juvenile offenders, changed course in a 6-to-3 decision.

#eighth-amendment-us-constitution, #juvenile-delinquency, #kavanaugh-brett-m, #kennedy-anthony-m, #mandatory-sentencing, #prisons-and-prisoners, #sotomayor-sonia, #supreme-court-us

The New York Times 10:38 pm on April 13, 2021
Tags: florida ( 598 ), Gaetz, Matt ( 37 ), Greenberg, Joel (1985- ) ( 4 ), Human Trafficking ( 107 ), Justice Department ( 812 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Prostitution ( 47 ), Sex Crimes ( 641 ), United States Politics and Government ( 9,030 )

Indicted Gaetz Associate Is Said to Be Cooperating With Justice Dept.

Joel Greenberg, a former elected official in Florida, has been talking to federal investigators since last year about the conduct of Representative Matt Gaetz and others.

#florida, #gaetz-matt, #greenberg-joel-1985, #human-trafficking, #justice-department, #mandatory-sentencing, #prostitution, #sex-crimes, #united-states-politics-and-government

The New York Times 8:37 pm on December 28, 2020
Tags: Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons ( 100 ), Criminal Justice ( 132 ), Justice Action Network, Mandatory Sentencing, Prisons and Prisoners ( 293 ), Trump, Donald J ( 6,511 ), United States Politics and Government ( 9,030 )

Outside Trump’s Inner Circle, Odds Are Long for Getting Clemency

President Trump has doled out pardons to friends and fellow Republicans. Thousands of others without connections have largely been left out.

#amnesties-commutations-and-pardons, #criminal-justice, #justice-action-network, #mandatory-sentencing, #prisons-and-prisoners, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

The New York Times 5:17 pm on December 17, 2020
Tags: Criminal Justice ( 132 ), Grewal, Gurbir S ( 8 ), Law and Legislation ( 1,411 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Murphy, Philip D (1957- ) ( 91 ), New Jersey ( 368 ), Politics and Government ( 4,307 ), Prisons and Prisoners ( 293 ), Sentences (Criminal) ( 64 ), State Legislatures ( 449 ), Stier, Edwin H

It Was a Landmark Crime Bill. Then a State Senator Added a Special Favor.

The clause to weaken penalties for official misconduct in New Jersey was added by a powerful Democrat whose girlfriend’s son faces five years in prison.

#criminal-justice, #grewal-gurbir-s, #law-and-legislation, #mandatory-sentencing, #murphy-philip-d-1957, #new-jersey, #politics-and-government, #prisons-and-prisoners, #sentences-criminal, #state-legislatures, #stier-edwin-h

The New York Times 11:30 pm on December 15, 2020
Tags: Bowser, Muriel E ( 21 ), Courts and the Judiciary ( 228 ), Crime and Criminals ( 226 ), Justice Department ( 812 ), Juvenile Delinquency ( 13 ), Law and Legislation ( 1,411 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Prisons and Prisoners ( 293 ), Sentences (Criminal) ( 64 ), Washington (DC) ( 293 ), Youth ( 244 )

D.C. Passes Bill to Give Young Offenders Chance at Reduced Sentences

Fueled by a debate over when the justice system should consider young people adults, the legislation would apply to those under 25 when they committed a crime who have served at least 15 years.

#bowser-muriel-e, #courts-and-the-judiciary, #crime-and-criminals, #justice-department, #juvenile-delinquency, #law-and-legislation, #mandatory-sentencing, #prisons-and-prisoners, #sentences-criminal, #washington-dc, #youth

The New York Times 7:46 pm on November 3, 2020
Tags: Eighth Amendment (US Constitution) ( 13 ), Kennedy, Anthony M ( 12 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Mississippi ( 144 ), Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides ( 1,144 ), Supreme Court (US) ( 1,216 )

Supreme Court Considers How to Decide if Teenagers Should Serve Life Without Parole

The justices considered precedents that said only “permanently incorrigible” juvenile offenders ought be sentenced to die in prison.

#eighth-amendment-us-constitution, #kennedy-anthony-m, #mandatory-sentencing, #mississippi, #murders-attempted-murders-and-homicides, #supreme-court-us

The New York Times 3:54 pm on October 17, 2020
Tags: Bryant, Fair Wayne, Crime and Criminals ( 226 ), Edwards, John Bel (1966- ) ( 11 ), Johnson, Bernette J, Louisiana ( 189 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Probation and Parole ( 39 ), Robberies and Thefts ( 111 ), Shreveport (La) ( 4 ), Southern States (US) ( 75 )

Louisiana Man Sentenced to Life Over Theft of Hedge Clippers Is Granted Parole

Before 2017, a person in Louisiana could be sentenced to life in prison after receiving a fourth nonviolent conviction under the state’s habitual offender law.

#bryant-fair-wayne, #crime-and-criminals, #edwards-john-bel-1966, #johnson-bernette-j, #louisiana, #mandatory-sentencing, #probation-and-parole, #robberies-and-thefts, #shreveport-la, #southern-states-us

The New York Times 9:00 am on August 1, 2020
Tags: Black People ( 2,797 ), Cocaine and Crack Cocaine ( 27 ), Criminal Justice ( 132 ), Drug Abuse and Traffic ( 249 ), Law and Legislation ( 1,411 ), Mandatory Sentencing, Prisons and Prisoners ( 293 ), Probation and Parole ( 39 ), Sentences (Criminal) ( 64 ), Trump, Donald J ( 6,511 ), United States Sentencing Commission ( 4 ), Wesleyan University ( 6 )

Law to Reduce Crack Cocaine Sentences Leaves Some Imprisoned

Critics say the First Step Act is being applied too arbitrarily by judges who are taking a hard line when it comes to revisiting nonviolent drug sentences.

#black-people, #cocaine-and-crack-cocaine, #criminal-justice, #drug-abuse-and-traffic, #law-and-legislation, #mandatory-sentencing, #prisons-and-prisoners, #probation-and-parole, #sentences-criminal, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-sentencing-commission, #wesleyan-university