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
Jan 22 Watch Supreme Court Strikes Down California Sentencing Rules The U.S. Supreme Court struck down California's sentencing guidelines Monday, preventing judges from increasing prison time for convicted criminals based on factors not considered by a jury. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the impact of the decision. Continue watching
Jan 12 High Court Makes Sentencing Guidelines ‘Advisory’ By Admin, PBS News Hour In a blow to the Justice Department, a divided Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that federal judges do not have to abide by the controversial federal criminal sentencing code adopted in 1987. Continue reading