Reduction in punishment for federal drug crimes
by
Alanna D Coopersmith on Jan. 17, 2015
Criminal Criminal Felony Criminal Misdemeanor
Summary: Reduction in prison sentences for federal drug offenders.
Thanks to recent reform of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, people convicted of federal drug offenses will now have to do less time than before. Effective November 1, 2014, the offense level points accorded to most federal drug offenses have been reduced by two points. Because a sentence under the United States Sentencing Guidelines is a function of two things, Offense Level and Criminal History Category, this will result in a reduction in prison sentences.
In addition, the United States Sentencing Guidelines are advisory, not binding. A defense attorney can always urge the judge to depart below the sentence established by the Guidelines.
Alanna D. Coopersmith is an attorney practicing criminal defense in federal and state court in the San Francisco Bay Area. She blogs frequently about issues affecting the rights of her clients.
In addition, the United States Sentencing Guidelines are advisory, not binding. A defense attorney can always urge the judge to depart below the sentence established by the Guidelines.
Alanna D. Coopersmith is an attorney practicing criminal defense in federal and state court in the San Francisco Bay Area. She blogs frequently about issues affecting the rights of her clients.
