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What might 2009 have in store for . . . drug sentencing law and policy?

By Douglas A. Berman

Continuing the 2009 "what's in store" series, let's turn to drug sentencing law and policy.  In this area, the social attitudes and legal approaches adopted by the new Obama Administration are likely to be critical.  Even though the majority of drug crimes are handled at the state level, how federal authorities set priorities and fund initiatives will set the tone.  Notably, the Obama transition site has these statements about the new Administration's priorities in this arena:  Eliminate Sentencing Disparities: Obama and Biden believe the disparity between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine is wrong and should be completely eliminated. Expand Use of Drug Courts: Obama and Biden will give first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 05, 2009 (boomark / email).