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Oregon report indicates mandatory minimums transfer sentencing power to prosecutor

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local artice, which is headlined "Report on Oregon's Measure 11 incites fierce debate," there is a notable new report in Oregon about the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing in the state.  Here are excerpts: A political firestorm has erupted over whether Measure 11 is working, pitting prosecutors against defense attorneys, victim advocates against victim advocates.  The state Criminal Justice Commission ignited the arguments with a report that concludes the measure, passed by voters in 1994, hasn't worked as intended.... The commission found, for example, that one effect of Measure 11 has been to shift power to prosecutors, who use the threat of a mandatory sentence to win plea deals on lesser crimes.... Proponents of Measure 11, however, attacked the report as politically motivated...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on March 13, 2011 (boomark / email).