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Crack cocaine

Dec 4, 2013

Court: Reduced crack sentences not retroactive

A 2010 law designed to eliminate harsher sentences for black offenders convicted of crack cocaine crimes should not apply retroactively, a federal appeals court ruled in a deeply divided decision that several dissenting judges wrote amounts to furthering racial discrimination.

Dec 4, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine

11-3121 U.S. v. Matthews

Dec 3, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine

12-1283 U.S. v. Purnell

Oct 29, 2012

7th Circuit says life sentence for crack dealer doesn’t violate Eighth Amendment

The Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment does not preclude a mandatory life sentence for dealers who possess a smaller quantity of crack cocaine than the quantity of powder cocaine necessary to trigger a similar sentence, the 7th Circuit has ruled.

Sep 21, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine

12-1871 U.S. v. Williams

Sep 6, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine

10-3130, 10-3505 & 11-1395 U.S. v. Jones

Jul 18, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine — retroactivity

11-3802 U.S. v. Dixon

Jun 21, 2012

Court: Use new drug sentencing law in crack cases (UPDATE)

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that people who committed crack cocaine crimes before more lenient penalties took effect and received their prison sentence afterward should benefit from the new rules.

May 31, 2012

Sentencing — crack cocaine — retroactivity

11-1313, 11-1323, 11-2057, 11-2061, 11-2062 & 11-2071 U.S. v. Davis

Apr 24, 2012

High court debates cocaine sentencing law

The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced the sentencing disparity between defendants convicted of crack cocaine-related crimes and those convicted of crimes involving the powder version of the drug.

Apr 17, 2012

Court seems split on when to apply new sentences

The Supreme Court seemed split Tuesday on whether criminals who were arrested but not yet sentenced for crack cocaine offenses should be able to take advantage of newly reduced sentences.

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