Political and Legislative
Supreme Court Considers Reducing Sentences for Crack Cocaine Offenders
The Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed whether certain low-level crack cocaine offenders are eligible for reduced prison sentences under federal law.
In oral argument heard by teleconference, the justices scrutinized a pair of criminal justice reform measures that Congress passed in part to address the disproportionately harsh penalties given to some Black drug offenders.
Although many larger-scale crack offenders have qualified for sentence reductions, courts are split over whether Congress meant for the same leniency to apply to those convicted of possessing only small amounts of the drug.
