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Eight former NJ Attorneys General sign open letter supporting repeal of drug mandatories

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this AP article (which now carries a skewed headline), eight former attorneys general in New Jersey "have put their names behind an effort to repeal mandatory minimum sentences in some nonviolent drug cases."  Here is more: The eight signed a letter to Gov. Jon Corzine and members of the Legislature today urging passage of a bill giving judges the discretion to waive mandatory minimum sentences....  The ex-prosecutors said mandatory minimum sentences waste money, don't increase public safety and keep offenders from drug treatment. A helpful reader sent me a copy of the former AGs' letter (which can be downloaded below), and here is a key potent paragraph: Mandating sentences for nonviolent drug offenders regardless of individual circumstances wastes money and does not increase public safety...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on December 08, 2009 (boomark / email).