H.R. 4545 would target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
Detailed Summary
Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine.
Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating factors.
Directs the Attorney General to make grants to improve drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities.
Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to establish demonstration programs to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs by substance abusers while incarcerated and until the completion of parole or court supervision.
Increases monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances.
Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, and Homeland Security for FY2008-FY2009 for the prosecution of, and for supporting the prosecution of, high-level drug offenses.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 12/13/2007: 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
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
Lacy
December 29, 2007, 2:54pm (report abuse)This bill is very important. The federal government should not focus on street dealers. The penalties for crack should be the same for powder cocaine. IT IS THE SAME DRUG!!!!!! Just african americans are more likely to be arrested for it. The harsh 100 to 1 ratio regarding the penalties are cruel and discriminatory. This discrimination has been going on for 20 years. Its time to change it.
JayB
February 23, 2008, 6:36pm (report abuse)Lacy is correct! This law has been on the books way too long and has hashly incarcerated way too many people for having a variation of cocaine which has negative trickle down effects in families and communities. The ingredient that creates the difference is the addition of baking soda to cocaine making crack cocaine. For that change in substance the penalty is 100 times greater than for the same amount of cocaine. Unfortunately like the majority of the US Justice system blacks are found on the negative end of the scale of justice.
Lloyd H. Washington Sr.
March 1, 2008, 1:27pm (report abuse)To look at all first time arrest. on cocaine trafficking ,U.S. Attorney General and the U.S.Courts to give First Timer probation on THe first time of a drugs arrest and if no dangerous weapon or violence in use. THe Preson must go to as school of some kind to lean a trade or etc.
this will help no ony black but all people in this time of hard time.