Commission: 26,000 drug defendants given shorter sentences
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Sentencing Commission says more than 26,000 federal drug offenders have received shorter prison terms because of sentencing guideline changes put in place two years ago.
The Sentencing Commission, an independent panel, says 70 percent of drug criminals who sought a sentence reduction under the new guidelines received it.
The commission voted in 2014 to substantially lower sentencing guideline ranges for drug crimes and then applied the change retroactively.
At the time, the commission estimated that more than 46,000 inmates could be eligible to seek a reduced sentence.
The commission says inmates’ sentences were cut by an average of two years.
Advocates of the early release plan have said it would cut prison costs and scale back some of the harsh sentences that were once routine in drug cases.
Catholic Lawyers Society to hold annual meeting and brunch
The Catholic Lawyers Society will honor Judge Terrance G. Berg with the Monsignor Charles Malloy Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday, May 15.
Attendees will gather for the 9:30 am mass at Gesu Catholic Church, 17180 Oak Dr. in Detroit.
Brunch will be held at 11 a.m. at the Detroit Golf Club 17911 Hamilton Rd. in Detroit. Cost is $35 per person.
To sign up for the event, visit http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f45aaa72fa6fa7-annual1. For additional information, contact Mayra Rodriguez at: marodriguez8@comcast.net.
‘Walk for Justice’ at the Detroit Zoo April 23
Registration is now open for The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic’s third annual Walk for Justice at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, April 23 starting at 8 a.m. Tickets are $40 and available at www.walkforjustice.org. Law students can register for $20 and children, up to 16 years old, are admitted for free. The registration fee includes zoo admission, parking, a Walk for Justice t-shirt, refreshments and entry into a door prize drawing. Guests will enjoy face painting, a magician, clowns and games for children, as well as have the opportunity to bid in a silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses. All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army’s William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, which has helped resolve over 20,000 legal issues affecting low income families, individuals and U.S. military veterans. The Clinic provides quality guidance and advocacy in a wide variety of areas including family matters, housing, credit and disability issues. Since 1994, The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic has been providing legal counsel to participants of The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light Center, as well as individuals within the community at or below the poverty level.
For more information about the Walk for Justice and to register, please visit www.walkforjustice.org or call (313) 361-6340.
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