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Mich. Gov. Signs Crime Sentencing Bill (eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes)
AP ^
| 12/27/2002
| AP
Posted on 12/27/2002 4:42:41 PM PST by TLBSHOW
Gov. John Engler has signed a bill eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, his spokesman said Friday.
The legislation gives judges more discretion but still requires them to follow sentencing guidelines when sending drug criminals to prison.
Under the old law, for example, someone possessing 50 to 224 grams of narcotics or cocaine had to be sentenced to between 10 years and 20 years in prison. The new law eliminates the 10-year minimum.
Supporters say the bill signed Wednesday will help alleviate Michigan's skyrocketing prison population. The state Department of Corrections does not know how many of Michigan's 49,296 inmates would be eligible for parole under the law, which goes into effect March 1.
Michigan's mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines had been among the nation's harshest, said Laura Sager, executive director of Families Against Mandatory Minimums.
Engler, who could not seek re-election because of term limits, leaves office Jan. 1.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: crimebill; drugs; mich
1
posted on
12/27/2002 4:42:41 PM PST
by
TLBSHOW
To: TLBSHOW
If you listen really hard, you'll be able to hear the sound of the first domino falling.
To: SandfleaCSC
If you listen really hard, you'll be able to hear the sound of the first domino falling.I hear it...
Supporters say the bill signed Wednesday will help alleviate Michigan's skyrocketing prison population.
Hmmmmmm...why not just declare ANARCHY?
I mean, what the hell?...Just don't put anyone in prison for 20-30 years...by that time there should be enough room for some shit-head drug dealer who has 50-125 grams all packaged up for his own personal use, right?
Sheese.
FMCDH
To: nothingnew
50 grams is less than 2 ounces, well under what is considered the maximum for personal use in most states. You believe that less than 2 ounces of pot should draw a mandatory 10 year sentence? On the national average, manslaughter charges draw an 8 year sentence. Where's the rationale for this?
The WOsD is lost....MacArthur's table waits patiently on the Mizzou's deck for when the JBTs and bureacrats come to their senses.
To: TLBSHOW
Glad to hear it. Mandatory minimums have been a calamity and a disgrace.
5
posted on
12/27/2002 7:05:41 PM PST
by
redbaiter
To: SandfleaCSC
Engler lost his spine years ago. Unfortunately, Granholm the Socialist will make things much worse for us.
6
posted on
12/27/2002 7:09:42 PM PST
by
rintense
To: nothingnew
Mandatory minimum sentences were a bad idea.
7
posted on
12/27/2002 7:14:49 PM PST
by
thepitts
To: redbaiter
bttt
To: thepitts
Mandatory minimum sentences were a bad idea. No, they were a idiotic idea
To: Wolfie; vin-one; WindMinstrel; headsonpikes; philman_36; Beach_Babe; jenny65; AUgrad; Xenalyte; ...
WOD Ping
10
posted on
12/30/2002 2:42:39 PM PST
by
jmc813
To: jmc813
HaHa....the budgets are bursting from the WOsD....satisfaction at last. If we can't do it with referendum we'll do it with economic strife.
EBUCK
11
posted on
12/30/2002 3:05:16 PM PST
by
EBUCK
To: SandfleaCSC
50 grams looks like how much in real life? It's like when they talk of n acres rather than miles, skewing one's perception of things...
To: EBUCK
Careful .... They may decide to build more prisons or execute drug offenders
To: clamper1797
Execute drug offenders?....wouldn't hurt me a bit but I imagine the backlash would be epic.
And in order to build more prisons there would certainly need to be at least enough in the theivery fund to keep the ones already caught inside.
EBUCK
14
posted on
12/30/2002 3:28:24 PM PST
by
EBUCK
To: technochick99
Well, since it's a weight measurement this may not apply but a can of chewing tobacco is approx, 35 grams. Calculated by density however, would be a task since it varies.
EBUCK
15
posted on
12/30/2002 3:32:06 PM PST
by
EBUCK
To: EBUCK
You're assuming I'm familiar with the size of a can of chewing tobacco... But I do appreciate your effort!
To: technochick99
Smaller than the bag of peanuts that they used to give you on an airplane.
17
posted on
12/30/2002 6:23:40 PM PST
by
patton
To: TLBSHOW
Introducing sensibility to the War on Drugs is an outdated and unpopular idea which is inconsistent with the philosophy of Terrorizing the People.
What is the Michigan government thinking?
Dig mass graves! Suspend the rest of the Constitution! Televise torture!
War is peace! Freedom is slavery! Ignorance is strength!
Get with the spirit, Michigan!
18
posted on
12/30/2002 7:48:48 PM PST
by
Imal
To: technochick99
It's about 2.5" in diameter and 3/4" high..
EBUCK
19
posted on
12/30/2002 8:15:25 PM PST
by
EBUCK
To: SandfleaCSC
Eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, not because they're immoral, or unjust, or unfair, or ineffective, no, --- because it will save money.
Good riddance, Gov.
BTW, SandfleaCSC, the bill covers "50 to 224 grams of narcotics or cocaine" not just 50 grams of marijuana. 224 grams of cocaine is a bunch.
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