Many states have federal mandatory sentences if an offender commits a drug crime while they are in possesion of a gun. Many still, are sentenced to 50+ years even though they never brandished the gun or threatened anyone with it. Some were convicted for having a gun in their car during the transaction, some for having the gun on them. Check out this link and tell me what you think. I never thought about it until I heard of Weldon. Check it out...
http://www.mandatorymadness.org/site/pp.asp?c=erKNIYPHIsE&b=475255
2006-08-10 09:59:43 · 16 answers · asked by Jessica P 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Anything mandatory takes away the judges ability to look at the mitigating circumstances in a case and issue a fair judgement based on the facts. Nothing should be mandatory, let judges judge.
2006-08-10 10:06:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Mandatory prison sentences are a boon to the prison industry in the US. Were it not for mandatory sentences, we would not need so many prisons constructed, many of which are corporately owned and operated.
Of course, the downside is that mandatory sentences have failed to reduce the rate of drug use, to reduce the rate of addiction, or the availability of drugs in this country. In other words, while mandatory sentencing is good for the sector of the economy that creates and maintains the warehousing system our nation uses to not deal with people who might otherwise remain productive citizens were it not for ridiculous drug laws; the simple fact is that mandatory sentences fail to produce the results for which they were designed. Drugs are more available and cheaper than ever.
2006-08-10 17:10:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prohibition laws of any kind are futile. Drugs have not slowed one bit due to mandatory sentencing . The same was true in the 30's when they outlawed booze. All it did was make gangs rich and powerful and fill jails with other wise law abiding citizens it's time to bury the prohibitionist mentality as a failed tactic at behavior control.
2006-08-10 17:29:27 · answer #3 · answered by brian L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drugs should not be illegal anyway. The police should not be putting people in jail for buying or selling drugs.
Let alone for using them.
As long as you aren't driving while high, and don't come into work high, I don't really care if you use drugs.
It's none of my business. Just like it's none of your business if I do.
The war on drugs has screwed us Americans in so many ways and people just don't seem to realize that. Read up on some pro-legalization essays, you will see what I mean.
2006-08-10 17:44:44 · answer #4 · answered by cat_Rett_98 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hate them
People arrested for drug possession need HELP. They do not need a jail sentence.
Really if we put all the drug offenders in rehab (assuming 30%) success rate it would still be cheaper for the society then sticking them in jails.
2006-08-10 22:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by hq3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's bull$hit now they gotta parole a rapist something to make room for a drug offender who committed a non violent crime just cuz he had a gun in his possession
2006-08-10 17:12:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is why legalization and regulation is the only answer to this insane drug war. Legalization takes profits and motivation out of the hands of criminals. When will the governments of the world learn the lessons of Prohibition? :\
2006-08-10 17:05:47 · answer #7 · answered by eatmorec11h17no3 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I`m glad you brought this up and I know you are right on because I know for a fact that in a smaller town in Oklahoma they give out ten years per rock of cocaine..I read about this 19yr old African American was arrested with 4 rocks on him and they did give him 40yrs and there was no weapon involved,and how Ifeel about it well its a bit lopsided because the judge asked him where he got the drugs from and he told him "your daughter"seriously and off he went.to prison.
2006-08-10 17:11:31 · answer #8 · answered by aminuts 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a total crock.... selling drugs is wrong and needs to be punished but not to that extent.. that guy will probably end up dead before he gets relesed. The rapist and hijackers are the ones we should put away for life or execute.
2006-08-10 17:05:59 · answer #9 · answered by Heatmizer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tough sentences are meant to stop those particular crimes. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. If there are still people that decide to use or deal with illegal drugs, while knowing it is illegal, AND having a gun while doing it.... I have no symphathy for such idiots. Being given such a sentence is less about the crime and more about being an idiot for still committing such a crime.
2006-08-10 17:05:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋