Congress asked to lower crack penalities: Reno, citing drug's impact, opposes Sentencing Commission proposal

Article Abstract:

The US Sentencing Commission is proposing to amend the sentencing guidelines to reflect that crack and cocaine are the same drug despite the disparities in social impact. Opponents of the current guidelines charge that they are racist because the majority of crack users are minorities while whites primarily use cocaine because it is more expensive. However, Attorney General Janet Reno opposes the revision because the impact of crack on communities is significantly more destructive than that of cocaine and she feels the sentences should reflect that.

Police Protection, Drug Control, Social aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Narcotics control, Cocaine, Crack (Drug)

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The unflappable Janet Reno: unruffled by criticism, the nation's first female attorney general says she looks to challenges ahead, not back

Article Abstract:

US Attorney General Janet Reno regards her three-year tenure serenely, apparently unswayed by the supporters and critics she has across the political spectrum. Since assuming her post she has issued fateful orders regarding the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, TX, dealt with domestic terrorism, faced criticism of her mgmt style, her Waco decision, and her handling of Supreme Court briefs, and developed Parkinson's disease. Through it all she remains unruffled and focused on whatever the day brings.

Behavior, Attorneys general, Reno, Janet

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Three strikes, you might be out; pols respond to California holding that judges retain sentencing discretion

Article Abstract:

Politicians were initially dismayed by the California Supreme Court's decision in People v. Romero letting judges retain the power to review mandatory sentences and giving this ruling retroactive effect. Even though the ruling covers some 16,000 people sentenced under the 'three strikes and you're out' law, most appeals under the ruling are likely to obtain summary dismissal. New legislation limiting judicial discretion was in the California legislature by late July 1996.

Cases, Political aspects, California, Separation of powers, Judicial discretion, Mandatory sentences, Determinate sentences

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