Post by Logan on Apr 30, 2016 5:25:30 GMT -6
Minnesota to overhaul drug laws for the first time in 27 years
After weeks of closed-door wrangling between law enforcement, defense attorneys and lawmakers, a compromise has been reached on a proposed plan to majorly revamp the state’s drug laws for the first time in 27 years.
A state commission’s plan — released late last year — to lighten penalties, particularly for first-time offenders, was met with serious push-back by county prosecutors and some in the House, who took issue with any leniency offered to the most serious, first-degree offenders.
Critics of Minnesota’s current drug laws — including many working in law enforcement — say they now treat common users like hardened criminals and jail them for years instead of focusing on treatment. The amount of drugs required to trigger serious charges was much too low compared to other states, and people could be jailed for ambiguously-defined “trace” amounts such as the smear of a bong bowl or residue for a baggie.
Read more: www.twincities.com/2016/04/28/compromise-on-lightening-drug-sentencing-laws-reached-at-capitol/
After weeks of closed-door wrangling between law enforcement, defense attorneys and lawmakers, a compromise has been reached on a proposed plan to majorly revamp the state’s drug laws for the first time in 27 years.
A state commission’s plan — released late last year — to lighten penalties, particularly for first-time offenders, was met with serious push-back by county prosecutors and some in the House, who took issue with any leniency offered to the most serious, first-degree offenders.
Critics of Minnesota’s current drug laws — including many working in law enforcement — say they now treat common users like hardened criminals and jail them for years instead of focusing on treatment. The amount of drugs required to trigger serious charges was much too low compared to other states, and people could be jailed for ambiguously-defined “trace” amounts such as the smear of a bong bowl or residue for a baggie.
Read more: www.twincities.com/2016/04/28/compromise-on-lightening-drug-sentencing-laws-reached-at-capitol/