Have you or someone you know received a mandatory minimum sentence? New Jersey FAMM needs your stories!
Thanks to your support, A-2762, which would authorize the court to waive or reduce parole ineligibility and grant probation for drug-free school zone violations under certain circumstances, was passed by the New Jersey Assembly on June 23. To ensure that the Senate passes the companion bill, S-1866, Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) needs your help in putting a "human face" on the impact of New Jersey mandatory sentencing laws. Consequently, we are seeking stories from currently or formerly incarcerated people in New Jersey who fit most or all of the following criteria:
• Individuals with nonviolent drug offenses (no violent or sex offenses);
• Individuals charged with a first-time offense or individuals with very few (1-2) minor prior convictions;
• Individuals who played a minor role in the offense;
• The sentence is excessive (e.g., mandatory minimum sentences over five years for a first-time offender, long sentences with no parole eligibility);
• The sentence was increased because it occurred in a school zone or near a school;
• The case did not involve a gun;
• Individuals sentenced for violating the drug-free school or public park laws, and
• Individuals who accept responsibility for the offense (no claims of innocence).
To help us collect this information, FAMM has developed a two-page case summary form, available at http://famm.org/Repository/Files/case%20summary.pdf or by calling (609) 577-9520. Information contained in the case summary form is kept strictly confidential and will not be shared without your consent. As we are a small organization with limited resources, we cannot profile all cases submitted to us, nor can we guarantee media coverage for the cases we profile.
Completed forms should be mailed to:
Mr. Tom Burkert
FAMM
411 Carey Street
Lansing, Michigan 48915
Please help us by filling out a case summary form, or by sharing this request with family members and friends of currently or formerly incarcerated persons.
To find out more about our case summaries or other NJ FAMM issues, please contact Joseph Greer, NJ campaign director, at (609) 577-9520 or by e-mail at jgreer@famm.org.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is a national, nonprofit organization of citizens working for fair and proportionate sentencing laws. Visit www.famm.org for more information or to learn more about FAMM's work in New Jersey, please contact Joseph Greer, NJ campaign director, at (609) 577-9520.