Will Brownsberger is State Senator from the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District.
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4 replies on “Understanding Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Drugs in Massachusetts”
I personally has always been against the minimum sentences for any crimes. Judges should be in control over that based on the total information. Also the minimum sentencing is forcing more people to agree with the plea bargain when a full case could lead him/her to parole. Happy everyone is taking a serious look at our justice system here in Massaschustts. However I fear with talks coming from the Gov and DeLeo what is going to come from it is just minor tweets with people saying “more will be done later”
While “it is very difficult to quantify the impact that mandatory sentences have on incarceration levels”, the analysis suggests that the impact of repealing MM statutes will not be particularly significant on shrinking the prison population, given the small numbers (398 out of several thousands) and “because in most cases, judges would impose some incarceration with or without the mandatory minimum.” So, arguments for repeal have to based on racial and ethnic disparities in my judgment.
My experience as a social worker is sometimes innocent people are forced into a “plea bargain” pleading guilty to avoid long sentences even if they are not guilty. This is a travesty of Justice.
This is often claimed outside the courtroom after the fact, but there are many safeguards in place to prevent this and any defense lawyer who actually allows this to happen should be exposed to serious disciplinary sanctions.
I personally has always been against the minimum sentences for any crimes. Judges should be in control over that based on the total information. Also the minimum sentencing is forcing more people to agree with the plea bargain when a full case could lead him/her to parole. Happy everyone is taking a serious look at our justice system here in Massaschustts. However I fear with talks coming from the Gov and DeLeo what is going to come from it is just minor tweets with people saying “more will be done later”
While “it is very difficult to quantify the impact that mandatory sentences have on incarceration levels”, the analysis suggests that the impact of repealing MM statutes will not be particularly significant on shrinking the prison population, given the small numbers (398 out of several thousands) and “because in most cases, judges would impose some incarceration with or without the mandatory minimum.” So, arguments for repeal have to based on racial and ethnic disparities in my judgment.
My experience as a social worker is sometimes innocent people are forced into a “plea bargain” pleading guilty to avoid long sentences even if they are not guilty. This is a travesty of Justice.
This is often claimed outside the courtroom after the fact, but there are many safeguards in place to prevent this and any defense lawyer who actually allows this to happen should be exposed to serious disciplinary sanctions.