86% of respondents favor repeal or reform
BOSTON – Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) has issued an updated report about candidates’ positions on Massachusetts’ drug sentencing laws. This version, prepared to educate voters ahead of the general election, details how the final slate of candidates for five major state races view mandatory minimum sentencing laws for drug offenses.
FAMM asked candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Governor’s Council and District Attorney four questions about sentencing laws for drug offenses:
- Do you support the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences?
- If not, do you support the reform of mandatory minimum sentencing laws?
- Do you support longer mandatory minimum sentences?
- Do you support additional mandatory minimum sentences?
Of the 22 candidates who responded to FAMM’s survey, nearly 73% favor repealing mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. Another 14% support reforming Massachusetts’ drug sentencing laws, even though they do not favor full repeal. Only one respondent opposed both repeal and further reforms.
No candidate was in favor of increasing the length of mandatory minimum sentences or enacting additional mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The full results can be found online and in FAMM’s special report, “Massachusetts Candidate Views on Drug Sentencing Laws, 2014.”
“As with our pre-primary report, most candidates who answered our survey support the repeal or reform of mandatory minimums for drug offenses. In fact, this may be one of the few issues that many Republicans, Democrats, independents and minor party candidates agree on,” said Barbara J. Dougan, director of FAMM’s Massachusetts project.
Dougan noted that candidates’ views are becoming more aligned with the sentiments of Massachusetts voters. Earlier this year, MassINC released polling data showing that only 11 percent of Massachusetts voters still support mandatory minimums for drug offenses. “In addition, given the opiate crisis, it’s obvious that mandatory minimum sentencing laws aren’t working as intended. Voters want sentencing policies that allow judges to send those whose crimes are driven by addiction to treatment programs, rather than warehousing them in prisons at the taxpayers’ expense.”
Answers
1.Yes
2.No
3.No
I’m never in a favor on Mandatory sentences. I think they’re UNFAIR in some cases.
ose Ortega October 25th, 2014
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Answers
1.Yes
2.No
3.No
I’m never in a favor on Mandatory sentences. I think they’re UNFAIR in some cases.
Please pass this petition to families, friends and contacts petition must be signed by November 23,2014.
White House Petition “ Law vs. Law Enforcement http://wh.gov/icanG
Law vs. Law Enforcement
http://wh.gov/icanG
The purpose is to request that an organization or committee of between 25 and 50 members of Federal or Florida Bar Association investigate the large disparity between the conviction rate of African American and/or Latino men given sentences of 15 years or more and to have the authority to grant release in cases were they see a clear violation of substantial due process rights or misconduct. Upon reliable evidences of actual innocents that was not presented to the trier of fact, judge or jury, whether or not it is newly discovered, especial pro se litigation that are other wise barred in the interested of justice and up holding the U.S. Constitution Rights of every citizen. Check out John Dobbs Florida inmate no. C00618 website americanmekinguniversal.org .
Note; Florida classifies the majority of Latin Americans as White, which is very misleading regarding statistics of its prison system. The lack of clearly define circumstances which would trigger the protection of Florida’s stand your ground law allows, for 2 people who behaves in the same matter under the exact same circumstance to receive 2 different verdict in a trial. Many of Florida’s minorities have been denied this protection although acting in the matter in which others have been provided this protection. Solely because of prosecutors personal prejudices.
* This petition must get 150 signatures in order to be publicly searchable on
White House.gov. Signatures needed by November 23, 2014 to reach goal of 100, 000
*Message; sign the petition to form a Federal oversee committee to investigate misconduct in Florida by judges, law enforcement against wrongly convicted who couldn’t afford an attorney.
STAND YOUR GROUND
Please sign his petition “Free John Dobbs” on americanmekinguniversal.org
Click and/or copy and paste link to “Free John Dobbs
Petition”http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/state-officials-conspire?source=c.f
wd&r_by=8176877
Thank You
As an ex convict that was released from federal prison over a year ago I am truly excited for the guys that I left behind. I been waiting and hoping and praying every day and night that my fellow inmates would get a second chance. I would like to be updated about anymore breaking federal laws for the inmates that’s coming in the near future. Thanks for listening to my concerns.