Crack wackiness brewing over impact of crack amendments

As detailed here, this week the US Sentencing Commission posted an important memorandum titled "Analysis of the Impact of the Crack Cocaine Amendment If Made Retroactive" (available here).  Families Against Mandatory Minimums is doing a great job covering this story at its website, but FAMM's coverage highlights that a lot of legal wackiness and uncertainty may ensure if and when the amendments become effect and are made retroactive.  Here are the two recent postings at FAMM spotlighting these matters:

• 10/4/07 - Crack cocaine guideline amendment would improve sentences for 19,500 people if made retroactive.  Yesterday the U.S. Sentencing Commission released its report on the estimated impact of the retroactive application of the so-called "crack minus two" guideline amendment it sent to Congress last May.  The figures are significant and provide new hope that nearly 20,000 prisoners serving sentences for crack cocaine offenses could see their sentences reduced by an average of more than two years.  Read more.

• 10/5/07 - Attention FAMM members: The crack amendment is not yet retroactive!  Since announcing the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s report that 19,500 people could potentially benefit from the crack amendment, if it is made retroactive, FAMM has gotten many calls from members asking some important questions.  We encourage all of our members to remember that the amendment is not retroactive yet, and may not become retroactive.  Click here to download answers to some frequently asked questions.

Some recent related posts:

• USSC analysis on potential crack amendment retroactivity impact
• Latest FSR issue covers crack sentencing
• Obama talking about serious sentencing reform
• ABA makes pitch for USSC crack amendments to be made retroactive
• Taking a crack at fairness in crack sentencing
• New USSC crack guidelines and report index