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Questions about the "when" and "now what" for crack/powder sentencing reform

By Douglas A. Berman

Though there is still much to say about the virtues and vices of this week's compromise bill passed by the Senate to cut the quantity ratio of powder to crack triggering statutory mandatory minimums to roughly 18:1 (basics here and here), I have lately been thinking about when this compromise bill will be considered by the House and about now what happens to crack sentences while the legislative debate (and subsequent guideline revisions) develop.  Specifically, here are some of the questions kicking around my head, many of which are inspired by the fact that, on average, more than 100 crack sentences are imposed every week in federal courts: 1.  Could and will the House take up this issue as soon as the pending health care vote takes place or will we have to wait lots of weeks and months for the House to act? 2...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on March 19, 2010 (boomark / email).