Mandatory Minimum Sentencing A Review of Literature With America's recently increasing problem with illegal substances; a war on drugs has erupted. American drug use has exponentially grown over the last 60 years, causing law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug use, trafficking, abuse and possession. President Nixon stated that the United States' War on Drugs was "public enemy number one" (Jarecki, Barnes, 2013). In response to this growing issue, the United State's criminal justice system
Words: 1206 - Pages: 5
CJA/394 November 24, 2014 Becky Killian-Willis Correctional Issues Introduction The issues of mandatory sentencing have been affecting the prison forecasts, tax revenue, over-crowding in prisons, as well as flooding the court systems and backlogging cases. Mandatory prison sentences take the discretion away from prosecutors, as well as judges. An Inmate who is sentenced under a mandatory sentence does not qualify for early release, good time while in prison, and in most cases, the offender
Words: 1878 - Pages: 8
creating greater harms than benefits for the public. They are costing the American people from their money, abstinence from their families, and to some extent even rights as U.S. citizens. The United States Congress should repeal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. “A mandatory term stipulates a minimum sentence that includes imprisonment and mandates that this sentence cannot be suspended and probation cannot be granted” (Schlesinger, 2011, p.64). These required laws
Words: 1995 - Pages: 8
Abolishing Mandatory Minimum Sentences Mandatory minimum sentences for a variety of crimes became popular in the 1980s and have progressed since then. Approaches to the idea have differed, but the bottom line has remained the same: punish the criminals who commit certain crimes and ensure they remain in prison for a specified amount of time. Though these laws are logical, mandatory minimum sentencing, in all its forms, does not effectively reduce crime. Statement of Problem: Mandatory minimum sentencing
Words: 1743 - Pages: 7
transformation can be greatly attributed to the vision and execution of Ratan Tata. He was greatly responsible for the tremendous transformation because he was able to take his vision for the group and transformed it into a reality. By enforcing a mandatory retirement age policy which removed a lot of top management, who were challenging the core functions of the group and hindering growth, Ratan Tata implemented this as one of the first major changes in is rein. By replacing these individuals, he made
Words: 853 - Pages: 4
authors explain the dramatic increase in the number of people serving LWOP as a result of the War on Drugs and “tough-on-crime” polices. These policies paved a road to many unnecessarily harsh sentencing laws. These include three-strike laws and mandatory minimum sentences for non-violence crimes. The authors suggest ending federal nonviolence LWOP sentences, eliminating nonviolent LWOP sentences, reforming the legislation, and much more to help reduce the number of people serving LWOP. 2.) In
Words: 402 - Pages: 2
“sixty-three percent favor doing away with minimum mandatory sentencing” altogether (Pew, 2014). This is extremely significant as it shows that a fundamental shift is occurring. For decades, our primary source of information concerning addiction has been our U.S. Government. Their strong emphasis on the purported “War on Drugs” has led to mass corruption on their part while simultaneously taking an active role in legislating zero-tolerance mandatory minimum sentencing. The recent Pew Poll is a prime
Words: 1717 - Pages: 7
Overcrowded prisons are a huge issue that have been plaguing the United States for quite a few years now. There is no certain cause for the overcrowding in our prisons, however there are many suspected reasons believed to be causing the overcrowding. In order to really begin fixing the problem, concern must be given to each and every one of these causes. Overcrowding in prisons is a serious issue because it affects millions of people in the U.S., not just prisoners, but taxpayers and prison staff
Words: 4196 - Pages: 17
the amount of time these convicts are being sentenced under mandatory minimum sentencing that is the root of the problem. Mandatory minimums have been sparking controversy throughout America for quite some time. These sentences have been seen as the most outrageous sentencings for nonviolent criminals. This problem raises a major question: Should criminals charged with nonviolent crimes be given mandatory minimum sentences? Mandatory minimum sentences are sentences that require a criminal, convicted
Words: 1442 - Pages: 6
Sentencing guidelines are a set of standards that set parameters for trial judges to follow when imposing a sentence. These guidelines are meant to limit a judge’s discretion in deciding an appropriate sentence for convicted individuals. However, this concept is considered highly controversial, due to several Supreme Court cases that have changed the way sentencing guidelines are used today. In Apprendi v. New Jersey, the court ruled that any factor other than a prior conviction that increases the
Words: 343 - Pages: 2
