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 GabbaDj
BTH
Registered: 04/08/01
Posts: 19,682
Loc: By The Lake
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 A Small Victory. 
#1176785 - 12/29/02 06:53 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentences Toppled in Michigan
Gov. Engler signs bills that end a quarter-century of failed sentencing policy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, December 27, 2002
LANSING, Mich. - Governor John Engler ended Michigan's failed experiment with mandatory minimum drug sentences when he signed historic legislation repealing the laws on December 25. Public Acts 665, 666, 670 of 2002 eliminate most of the state's Draconian mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. Judges can now use sentencing guidelines to impose sentences based on a range of factors in each case, rather than solely drug weight, and lifetime probation for the lowest-level offenders has been replaced with a five-year probationary period. Earlier parole is now possible for some prisoners, at the discretion of the parole board.
Laura Sager, executive director of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a nonprofit organization that spearheaded the drive for reform said, "We are very grateful to Governor Engler for his support of this important legislation, which brings a quarter-century of failed sentencing policy to a close. Harsh mandatory minimums, originally intended to target drug "king pins" warehoused many nonviolent, low-level drug offenders at a very high cost to taxpayers. Now judges can use their discretion under sentencing guidelines to more closely fit the punishment to the crime and the offender."
"This change is being closely examined by states across the country as they grapple with the unintended consequences of their own mandatory minimum sentences," said Sager.
"This historic act is also a victory for a grassroots movement for justice," said Sager. "It is the culmination of years of grassroots lobbying efforts by thousands of FAMM members affected by mandatory minimums that were among the harshest in the nation. These families brought the human face of sentencing injustices to lawmakers and convinced member of both parties that change was urgently needed," said Sager.
Rep. Bill McConico (D-Detroit), sponsor of the bills said, "This major step brings fairness back to the judicial system in Michigan. The overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation shows it is not a partisan issue. We were able to unite Republicans, Democrats, prosecutors, judges and families in the common cause of sentencing justice. Now we can reunite families, reallocate resources and allow judges to do their job."
The bills garnered widespread support from organizations as diverse as the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, the Michigan Judges Association, the Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals, the Michigan Catholic Conference, Michigan's Children, and the NAACP (Detroit Branch), among many others.
"Michigan's prosecutors recognize that an effective drug policy is a combination of criminal justice strategies, readily available drug treatment programs, incarceration where appropriate, and prevention activities in schools, businesses, and homes," said David Morse, president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. "That is why we support a responsible approach to replacing the mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes with sentences that are appropriate for the crime."
The reforms also had the strong support of former Michigan Republican Governor William G. Milliken, who called signing mandatory minimum drug sentences into law in 1978 "the worst mistake of my career" and campaigned for their repeal.
In 1998, Families Against Mandatory Minimums led a successful drive to relax the "650 Lifer Law," the toughest drug law in the nation. That law mandated life without parole for anyone convicted of delivery or conspiracy to deliver 650 grams or more of heroin or cocaine.
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Analysis of the Michigan sentencing reform laws is available here. If you are a reporter and would like to speak to Laura Sager, FAMM executive director, or other groups supporting the reforms, please contact Monica Pratt, FAMM director of communications, at (202) 822-6700 or monica@famm.org. FAMM also has case profiles on Michigan prisoners.
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GabbaDj
FAMM.ORG
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 Learyfan
It's the psychedelic movement!
Registered: 04/20/01
Posts: 34,213
Loc: High pride!
Last seen: 7 hours, 26 minutes
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: GabbaDj]
#1176936 - 12/29/02 08:31 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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As usual, the farther North you travel, the more sane the laws become.
I see another Civil War coming.
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Mp3 of the month: Sons Of Adam - Feathered Fish
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luvdemshrooms
Two inch dick..but it spins!?
Registered: 11/29/01
Posts: 34,247
Loc: Lost In Space
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: GabbaDj]
#1177042 - 12/29/02 09:32 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Mandatory sentances for drug violations were wrong from the start. Hopefully this will start a trend.
There should be NO laws prohibiting you from doing ANYTHING that does not harm another.
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You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for that my dear friend is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. ~ Adrian Rogers
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Learyfan
It's the psychedelic movement!
Registered: 04/20/01
Posts: 34,213
Loc: High pride!
Last seen: 7 hours, 26 minutes
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Well said.
Legalize drugs
Legalize prostitution
Legalize gambling
Legalize driving without seatbelts
Legalize driving a motorcycle with no helmet
what else?
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Mp3 of the month: Sons Of Adam - Feathered Fish
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Skikid16
fungus fan
Registered: 06/27/02
Posts: 5,666
Loc: In the middle of the nort...
Last seen: 19 years, 14 days
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: Learyfan]
#1177106 - 12/29/02 10:01 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Legalize driving a motorcycle with no helmet
This was done in Florida, and one of the women that was heading the push for the change in legislation ironically died of massive head trauma from a motorcyle accident two weeks after the law was passed. 
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Re-Defeat Bush in '04
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luvdemshrooms
Two inch dick..but it spins!?
Registered: 11/29/01
Posts: 34,247
Loc: Lost In Space
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: Learyfan]
#1177109 - 12/29/02 10:02 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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I live in a state where a helmet is not required. Only an idiot rides with no helmet.
It should still be a choice. However if someone is injured while not wearing a helmet and has no insurance, there should be no medical treatment.
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You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for that my dear friend is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. ~ Adrian Rogers
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GabbaDj
BTH
Registered: 04/08/01
Posts: 19,682
Loc: By The Lake
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In California you used to not have to wear one, then they changed that and now its gone too far...
Dide a bicycle, skateboard, rollerblade, scooter or anything else and you must wear a helmet...
I get pissed when I see cops giving kids tickets for no helmet around the school while cars speed past over the limit...
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GabbaDj
FAMM.ORG
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Innvertigo
Vote Libertarian!!
Registered: 02/08/01
Posts: 16,296
Loc: Crackerville, Michigan U...
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: GabbaDj]
#1177180 - 12/29/02 10:35 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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what's really going to get your panties in a bundle is that he is a right wing republican.
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America....FUCK YEAH!!!
Words of Wisdom: Individual Rights BEFORE Collective Rights
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson
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hongomon
old hand
Registered: 04/14/02
Posts: 910
Loc: comin' at ya
Last seen: 19 years, 11 months
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: Innvertigo]
#1177373 - 12/29/02 11:55 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Don't you guys hate how you can't tell who a post is replying to anymore?
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Zimzum
old wanker
Registered: 04/16/99 
Posts: 165
Loc: Sweden
Last seen: 20 years, 2 months
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 Re: A Small Victory. [Re: hongomon]
#1177440 - 12/29/02 12:13 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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I absolutely agree...
Z
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Phred
Fred's son
Registered: 10/18/00
Posts: 12,949
Loc: Dominican Republic
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: hongomon]
#1177506 - 12/29/02 12:35 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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hongomon writes:
Don't you guys hate how you can't tell who a post is replying to anymore?
That's why I have always used the format I do when replying to someone (see above) despite complaints from some that they find it "irritating".
pinky
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hongomon
old hand
Registered: 04/14/02
Posts: 910
Loc: comin' at ya
Last seen: 19 years, 11 months
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: Phred]
#1177801 - 12/29/02 03:30 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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pinky writes:
That's why I have always used the format I do when replying to someone (see above) despite complaints from some that they find it "irritating".
Not a bad idea at all.
hongomon
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Baby_Hitler
Errorist
Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 27,652
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 33 minutes, 33 seconds
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: hongomon]
#1178487 - 12/29/02 11:41 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Hey, a quote thingy.Quote:
pinky writes:
That's why I have always used the format I do when replying to someone (see above) despite complaints from some that they find it "irritating".
Not a bad idea at all.
hongomon
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This space for rent
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Innvertigo
Vote Libertarian!!
Registered: 02/08/01
Posts: 16,296
Loc: Crackerville, Michigan U...
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Re: A Small Victory. [Re: hongomon]
#1178532 - 12/30/02 12:17 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Reply to Hongomon:
I thought it was only me...i'm glad it's not because this sucks royaly. 
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America....FUCK YEAH!!!
Words of Wisdom: Individual Rights BEFORE Collective Rights
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson
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