Crack vs. Powder: Tell Lungren to End Disparities in Sentencing‏

The ACLU of Northern California has been fighting a longtime injustice: the disparity between federal mandatory sentences for crack versus powder cocaine. According to current guidelines, a conviction for the sale of 500 grams of powder cocaine results in a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence, while the same penalty is triggered for sale or possession of only 5 grams of crack cocaine.

Take action now to help change this law. Visit: http://action.aclunc.org/site/R?i=q-x58wJ40FRIAK4-xvagrw..

Currently, the House of Representatives is considering a bill aimed at eliminating the disparity H.R. 4545, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007. Current sentencing policies, particularly the mandatory minimum for crack offenses, subject people who are low-level participants to the same or more severe sentences as major dealers. These unfair sentencing guidelines have had a devastating impact on African-American and low-income communities and fail to adequately address the larger problem of the drug trade.

On four separate occasions, the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) has recommended that changes be made to the crack/powder sentencing structures, finding no medical or legal basis for the sentencing disparity. The USSC has recommended in the past that the sentencing disparities be lessened or eliminated completely, citing in part the devastating effect such disparities have had on the perception that the criminal justice system treats African Americans unfairly.

The ACLU is urging Congress to equalize the quantities of crack and powder cocaine that trigger federal prosecution at the current level for powder cocaine, and to eliminate mandatory minimums for possession of crack cocaine. Please speak up. You can help us by taking action on this issue while Congress is considering these changes. Currently, several key members of Congress have expressed interest in righting this wrong. You can take action by joining us in urging Representative Lungren to support H.R. 4545, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007. Visit: http://action.aclunc.org/site/R?i=-h8sefu7FxduMp3JQ3tL2g.. Sincerely, Maya HarrisACLU-NC Executive Director ----------------------------------------

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