Mandatory minimum sentencing

Mandatory minimum sentencing Ch. 7

             The subject of mandatory minimum sentences of federal and state inmates has become an often-debated topic throughout the country.  Under the guidelines dictated by state and federal laws offenders of crimes that range from; child pornography, murder, insider trading and drug possession have to be sentenced to a minimum number of years’ incarceration according to law.

The use of mandatory minimum sentences for murder and piracy date back to the 1790’s, the last few decades’ non-federal crimes and many other offenses became applicable under mandatory minimum guidelines.  In 1984 the sentencing reform act, which is a chapter of the Comprehensive Crime Control act changed statues that dealt with criminal offenses (Weigel, S. 1988).  The act dealt with many issues on federal offenses including victims’ rights, duties of probation officers and post sentencing administration.  It also required that guidelines for federal sentences be developed and the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) be established.

                The USSC is a self-determining agency and is a part of the judicial branch of the federal government (United States Sentencing Commission 2008).  The commission is made up of judges, attorney and law professors.  The objective of the commission is introduced guidelines, practices and policies regarding punishment for individuals’ that have been convicted of committing federal crimes.  The United States Sentencing Commission (2008) was also created to assist and advise the United States Congress as while as the executive branch of the government on crime policy.

References

United States Sentencing Commission. (2008). Federal sentencing guideline manual (Vol.3). West Group.

Weigel, S. A. (1988). Sentencing Reform Act of 1984: A Practical Appraisal, The. UCLA      L. Rev., 36, 83.