Letter Supporting the Smarter Sentencing Act

SUMMARY

Since 1994, the City Bar has continued to voice opposition to mandatory minimum sentences. These sentences: (1) limit the discretion of district court judges in favor of a “one-size-fits-all” approach that frequently results in unduly harsh and unjust sentences, particularly for drug offenses; (2) have resulted in enormous growth of the federal prison population and the exacerbation of racial disparities in the treatment of federal offenders. In a June 2015 letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, the City Bar expressed support for the Smarter Sentencing Act. The Act would reduce mandatory minimum sentences for many drug offenses by 50-60% and would ultimately reduce prison overcrowding and prison costs.

BILL INFORMATION

H.R. 920 (Rep. Labrador) / S.502 (Sen. Lee) – Smarter Sentencing Act; a bill to focus limited Federal resources on the most serious offenders (114th Congress (2015-16))