Congress Passes Legislation to Reduce Disparity Between Crack and Powder Cocaine Sentencing

According to an article by Jasmine Tyler, published on the Huffington Post, United State’s House of Representatives has just passed legislation meant to address the current disparity that exists in federal sentencing guidelines wherein people found in possession of crack cocaine are sentenced to a much longer sentence than those in possession of powder cocaine. U.S. Senate passed a similar bill in March, and now President Obama can turn this piece of legislation into law.

According to the article, and the research conducted by cocaine sale and transportation attorneys of Criminal Defense team, as the law stands now a person with just five grams if crack cocaine could receive a mandatory sentence of up to five years in prison. This while someone possessing powder cocaine would have to possess over 500 grams of the substance to receive a similar sentence. The law addresses the disparity of sentences for crimes involving sale of crack as opposed to powder cocaine and eliminates the mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of five grams of cocaine. Origins of these rather draconian laws are traced back to 1970s and 1980s when many lawmakers believed that crack cocaine was more dangerous and addictive than powder cocaine. Based on the article, the AMA has proven that the two substances have the effect on the human body.

Many in the criminal defense and civil rights communities are applauding the new legislation. According to public records, most of those convicted of crack cocaine offenses are African-Americans. Our Orange County drug sales and possession attorneys have handled many cases involving powder cocaine and sales of drugs. In fact, we have handled some of the largest cocaine transportation cases of the last few years in San Bernardino. Our attorneys know the law and know how to defend these complicated cases. If you or a loved one need the assistance of our experienced criminal defense attorneys contact us at (714) 705-6701.