Congress Changes Cocaine Sentencing Laws

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Posted By: Lawyer X July 30, 2010

Although it deals more with Federal sentences and this website is primarily a Texas site, it is still important to keep in mind the mind set of the authorities. Although it will have minimal, or no, effect on Texas parole laws, the House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that will change the disparity between sentencing for powdered cocaine and crack. Many had complained that the difference in sentencing for the two drugs had little justification in fact, and resulted in a greater number of African Americans being incarcerated, since crack is more prevalent in that community and powdered cocaine has a "whiter" fan base.

Regardless of the reasoning it is good to see Congress taking steps to correct inequities.

About the Author

Lawyer X
Lawyer X is the pen name of a former attorney who now spends all of his time writing and consulting. While in practice he was involved in both criminal and civil trials across the United States, including picking or helping to pick juries in hundreds of civil and criminal cases. In addition to his work as a trial lawyer, Lawyer X wrote articles, lectured at continuing legal education seminars, and was active in the legal community in many ways. He maintains anonymity now so that he can provide knowledge from inside and express honest opinions and viewpoints that other members of the legal community would just as soon weren't shared.