WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 5035, The Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2008

Comment by CRIS (November 5, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

I HAVE A SON WHO WAS FOUND QUILTY FOR A DRUG OFFENSE WITH NO EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM, HE HAS BEEN IN COUNTY JAIL FOR A YEAR AND TWO MONTHS, HIS PUBLIC PRETENDER WAS NO HELP TO HIM- I HAVE A FEELING HE WAS ON THE PRESUCTERS SIDE. HE HS NOT VISITED MY SON SINCE HIS TRAIL SINCE FEBURARY, SO YES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LAW OF THE MANDATORY MINIMUM CHANGED FOR FIRST TIME NON VIOLENT OFFENDERS. BY THE WAY HE IS STILL AWAITING HIS SENTENCING WHICH THEY TOLD HIM IT WOULD BE IN SEPTEMBER, BUT NOTHING YET, CAN THIS BE POLITICAL?...

Comment by Jill (September 13, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My boyfriend is forced to take the mandatory minimum of 5 years with no evidence just people saying he was dealing cocaine to get themselves out of trouble for homeinvasions. This law needs to ammended so innocent people don't go to jail...

Comment by T. Hairston (June 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My husband was sentenced for a simple possession and he received the mandatory minimum,this law was intended for heavy trafficking...

Comment by Maria Tavarez (May 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My fiance is serving a 20-year mandatory minimum and the only way he can ever get a reduced sentence is if they pass this bill....

Revision by webmaster (March 4, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 5035 would amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate increased penalties for cocaine offenses where the cocaine involved is cocaine base, to eliminate minimum mandatory penalties for offenses involving cocaine, to use the resulting savings to provide drug treatment and diversion programs for cocaine users.

Detailed Summary

Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2008 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate: (1) increased and mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses involving mixtures or substances which contain cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine); and (2) restrictions on judicial authority to grant probation or suspended sentences for certain cocaine offenses.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for federal pretrial diversion and post conviction drug courts.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for the drug courts grant program.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/4/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of February 4, 2008

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

2/4/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Revision by webmaster (February 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for federal pretrial diversion and post conviction drug courts.

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for the drug courts grant program.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/17/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 18, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 18, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of January 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

1/17/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.