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| State may revise drug sentence guidelines |
| By The Providence Journal |
| Published: 06/14/2007 |
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PROVIDENCE, RI — Before adjourning next week, the General Assembly may make a major revision to state drug laws, doing away with mandatory minimum sentences. A bill to that effect is moving through the state Senate; House leaders said yesterday they are open to the idea. “Judges have a handle on who should be locked up for excessive amounts of time,” says Sen. Harold M. Metts, D-Providence, the sponsor of the bill scheduled for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee today. “There’s some people that need to be locked up for that amount of time, and there’s other people that can reclaim their lives.” The concept of restoring judicial discretion has support from Governor Carcieri, judges and the state police. However, Metts’ bill may meet opposition because it would also significantly reduce the maximum sentences for drug charges. The bill’s backers argue that long sentences waste taxpayers’ money because they are not an effective deterrent. The state police vehemently disagree. Most drug dealers “are very aware of the sentencing,” state police Maj. Steven O’Donnell said yesterday. “They understand what can happen. That’s why it’s such a clandestine business.” Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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