11/14/07 - Update on Sentencing Commission retroactivity hearing
The U.S. Sentencing Commission held a public hearing on November 13 at Georgetown University Law School to gather input from FAMM, judges, prosecutors, defenders, academics and advocates on making the crack cocaine guideline amendment retroactive. No decision was made and the new crack guideline still does not apply to people in prison. As soon as FAMM as more information on when the Sentencing Commission will make a decision on retroactivity, we will post it on our website.
Julie Stewart, president and founder of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), testified before the Commission and urged them to make the crack cocaine guideline amendment retroactive. If the Commission does so, approximately 19,500 people in prison will be eligible for a sentence reduction of more than two years.
More than 30 FAMM members attended the hearing. Julie Stewart asked them to stand during her testimony and be recognized by the commissioners. Many family members brought color photos of their loved ones to the hearing.
FAMM sincerely appreciates the attendance of family members at the hearing, as well as the outstanding efforts of our members who took time to write the Sentencing Commission in support of retroactivity. FAMM helped generate more than 30,000 letters to the Sentencing Commission. The outpouring of letters showed the commissioners there is a high level of public support for making the new crack guideline retroactive.
Click here to read the Associated Press article on the retroactivity hearing.
Click here to read Julie Stewart's testimony to the Commission.
Click here to download frequently asked questions about the crack guideline amendment and its possibly retroactivity.