Criminal Law

Read Publication: Federal Crack Cocaine Sentencing
An assessment of the cocaine sentencing debate that explores the racial impact of the crack sentencing disparity, clarifies misperceptions regarding crack addiction, and outlines solutions to eliminate sentencing unfairness...

Crack Resentencing Controversy Comes Before 11th Circuit
Today, two of the most controversial issues in sentencing law -- the length of sentences for crack cocaine offenders and judges' ability to go outside the federal sentencing guidelines -- will intersect in arguments at a federal appeals court panel...

Sense and sentencing
Sense and sentencingMarcel Berlins writes in Writ LargeIt is no longer a matter of debate that sentencing policy is in a mess. The proliferation of ill-thought-out laws on sentencing since Labour took power has resulted in mass confusion and disenchantment among all connected with the criminal justice system of England and Wales...

Sentencing Project issues annual report
Via Sentencing Law and Police, the Sentencing Project has issued a report, The State of Sentencing 2007. Sentencing reforms by the Nevada Legislature from the last session are featured prominently in the report.

US Sentencing Commission 15 Year Assessment of Guidelines Sentencing
The US Sentencing Commission has issued its 15 year review of the sentencing guidelines: Fifteen Years of Guidelines Sentencing: An Assessment of How Well the Federal Criminal Justice System Is Achieving the Goals of Sentencing Reform...

Circle Sentencing Study
From New South Wales, Australia, comes this study on "circle sentencing," an aspect of the "restorative justice" movement (hat tip: SL&P). Here is the abstract: Circle sentencing is an alternative method of sentencing Aboriginal offenders which involves the offender?s community...