Aug 03 Watch New Drug Law Narrows Crack, Powder Cocaine Sentencing Gap President Obama signed a new law Tuesday that closes a decades-old gap in federal sentencing that led to much stiffer penalties for crack cocaine cases than ones involving powder cocaine. Gwen Ifill speaks with two experts about the implications. Continue watching
Dec 12 Watch New Drug Sentencing Rules Raise Questions for 19,000 Inmates The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which sets guidelines for federal prison sentences, voted this week to make its recent reduction in sentences for crack cocaine offenses retroactive, making over 19,000 inmates eligible for sentence reductions. Legal experts examine the shift and… Continue watching
Dec 10 Crack Sentences Can Be Lowered, Justices Rule By Admin, PBS News Hour Judges who disagree with federal sentencing guidelines can issue lighter sentences for defendants in crack cocaine cases, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in two cases that will provide judges more leeway in determining punishments for drug violations. Continue reading
Mar 12 Watch President Bush Vows to Fight Drug Trade in Latin America President Bush visited Guatemala Monday, after pledging Sunday on a stopover in Colombia to seek more aid for the country to fight drug traffickers. Experts discuss the growing drug trade and the administration's efforts to curtail it. Continue watching