Michigan sentencing update
FAMMGram, Summer 2007
Support for further sentencing reform building in Michigan
The Michigan FAMM team has been in action since the legislative session started in January, building support for additional changes needed following FAMM’s successful 1998 and 200 reforms of mandatory drug sentencing laws.
FAMM’s National Campaign Director Laura Sager, Detroit attorney Margaret Raben and FAMM consultant Noah Smith are meeting with legislative leaders and coalition partners to win support for the reforms. Many of these would provide earlier parole eligibility dates for individuals who were not affected by the 2003 reforms, as well as those serving mandatory consecutive sentences. FAMM is also working to eliminate life without parole sentences for second-time drug offenses over 50 grams. In addition, FAMM has developed a number of proposals that would remove barriers to diversion to treatment and drug court for drug-dependent and/or mentally ill individuals convicted of very low-level possession and delivery drug offenses.
Building support for new bills
Although the House Judiciary Committee passed several of these reforms with no dissenting votes last year, the bills need to be reintroduced this session.
Once FAMM has explored the broadest possible agreement on the details of the bills, sponsors in the House of Representatives will introduce the reforms and bill numbers will be assigned. We will notify you as soon as the bills are introduced and will post updated information on the FAMM website.
Commutations may help some members
Commutations are rare, difficult to achieve and highly selective – that’s why FAMM focuses on legislative sentencing reform.
However, Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently declared her intention to relieve prison overcrowding through a combination of policies, including commutations. Because we do not want to miss an opportunity to help members, FAMM is working to assist as many Michigan prisoners as possible with commutation petitions.
Please remember that commutations are completely at the discretion of the Governor, so there is no “due process” or guarantee of success. Relatively few people benefit from commutations, so legislative reform remains the best avenue for relief from long mandatory sentences. FAMM’s resources are limited for commutation work, so please be patient and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Please contact Tom Burkert in the Michigan office with questions or concerns. You can reach Tom at (517) 487-1261 or tomburkert@famm.org, or write MI FAMM, P.O. Box 15007, Lansing, Mich. 48901-5007.