Mandatory minimum sentences are automatic, minimum prison terms set by Congress. Judges in the U.S. are required to base their sentences on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, mandatory minimum sentencing laws, or both. In 1986 the U.S. Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act which enacted new mandatory minimum sentences for drugs. People caught with 5 grams of crack cocaine were given jail sentences of 5 years without parole (the same sentence as people caught with 500 grams). The legislation was in response to the moral panic involving the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980’s. In 2010 Congress and President Obama eliminated the crack cocaine mandatory sentence with the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act. Opponents of mandatory minimum sentences argue that they often impose long prison terms on non-violent criminals. Proponents argue that the sentences are designed to help judges punish drug cartels and those responsible for the country’s drug epidemic.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs
Yes, but only for drug dealers, not users
@8PPBWMZ2yrs
All drugs should be legalized at a federal level
@8XQT4ZN1yr
All drugs should be legal so this is irrelevant
@8GQSF752yrs
It depends on what type of drug it is, if they are a drug dealer, if they are selling it to kids and harming others, etc.
joe biden wants to decriminalize all drugs this isn’t even correct.
@98XPTFF2hrs
depdens on the drug and how much they had.
@98XPSJ72hrs
offenses with drugs should be met with recovery clinics rather than prison. Jail time for dealers though.
@98XPLKG2hrs
For man-made drugs like crack, heroin and meth but not for weed it's a plant that grows on God's green earth just my opinion, and cannabis has medical benefits as well
Yes, but limit it to shorter sentences, and lengthen based on the amount in their possession
I think people who abuse on drugs should get help instead of being put in prison.
@98WZ4JH1 day
It depends on the crime and if they're on good behavior during their sentence
@98WWSHM2 days
It depends what drugs they are charged with.
@98WW94C2 days
Non-violent drug offenders should go straight to rehab and not prison. Violent drug offenders should go to prison otherwise. Chris Christie’s legislation in New Jersey for example.
@98WP32C3 days
depends on the offence of the prisoner
@98WRJR93 days
No, nobody should be arrested for drug possession
@98WQW2R3 days
No, and abolish minimum prison sentences for any charge.
@98WNKZ83 days
Yes, but only if given access to a free rehab program.
@98WJW32Patriot Party3 days
The deadlier the drug the longer the sentence.
@98W7Z9Z4 days
no unless it is hard drugs.
@98VFTPH4 days
Depends on what they had possession of and how much and what all they have been convicted for.
@98VYR4J4 days
No, nobody should be in prison for drug possession
@98VJX8C5 days
No, for first offense should be court ordered rehab while further offenses should result in jail time.
@98VHHRM5 days
If they are dealers, they stay in longer because they are distributing a harmful product.
@98VC7DW5 days
it depends on how many times they have offended, and the extremity of the drugs.
@98V69YK6 days
No because context matters
@98TR93C6 days
neither, the shouldn't be arrested just given treatment
@98TQ7YF6 days
No, mandatory minimums disproportionately affect African-Americans
@98TMQCZ7 days
No, it should be based on situation, occurrence, and severity
@98TK6L87 days
Depends on how much drugs they are carrying
Increase the sentence for dealers, users will be judged on a case-to-case basis.
@98T92BH1wk
I believe they should perform daily community service
@98T2CRP1wk
Yes, but only for uncharted drugs
Yes, only for dealers, and end racial discrimination in drug charges and sentencing
It depends on the crimes they did with the drugs.
@98SNX951wk
First offense - rehab, Further offenses - jail
Yes, unless they are violent or convicted several times
@98R8BW22wks
Yes, but help must be provided.
@98R75JP2wks
Depends on the condition. Drug dealers should be sentenced for at least 20 years while drug users should use it as a chance to rehab, giving them only 5 years.
@98QFR9B2wks
No and legalize drugs instead
It depends on what drug it is, if it's cocaine whoever buys and sells should be in jail
@98Q9S422wks
quiza que no lo tomen como delito mayor podria ser
It depends on the drug that was found.
Yes, but I don't think it should be as long as 5 years
@98PYSGN2wks
Yes, but only for people in possession of illegal drugs.
@98PVDN22wks
No, and mandatory minimum sentencing should be removed.
@98PQX4W2wks
Have levels of punishment, equal for all and uniform across the country.
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