Newsbrief:
Ambitious
US
Attorney
in
Boston
Orders
Increased
Drug
Penalties
11/22/02
Boston US Attorney Michael
Sullivan has ordered prosecutors in his office to increase recommended
sentences for drug offenders in every case where they can, the Boston Globe
reported Saturday. Under Sullivan's policy, which took effect in
March but only openly came to light recently, prosecutors must seek "sentencing
enhancements" that can add from two to 30 years to sentences for drug crimes.
Previously, federal prosecutors could decide on a case-by-case basis whether
to seek the harsher sentences.
Under Sullivan's policy,
a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for drug dealing is doubled if the
defendant has a previous state drug conviction. With two prior felony
drug convictions, the minimum sentence is life. The Boston US Attorney's
office now also automatically seeks enhancements for the use of a weapon
in a crime; those are worth an additional five years in prison.
"Indigent defendants are
getting hammered by this US attorney's office, and it's appalling," said
Charles W. Rankin, chairman of the group of court-appointed defense lawyers
who practice in federal court in Boston. "The sentences people are
getting are huge, and to what end? Just because the government wants
to be tough and macho," he told the Globe.
Sullivan, a former Republican
prosecutor for Plymouth County widely believed to have higher political
aspirations, said he is simply implementing the "tough on crime" policies
he has always espoused. "The public expects we do everything possible
to ensure the safety of the communities that we serve," Sullivan told the
Globe. "It's critically important in terms of the message we send
to the community, whether that's people thinking of committing crimes of
violence or using weapons in the commission of crimes." He didn't
address what message he is sending the community by imprisoning nonviolent
minor drug offenders for decades.
But even Sullivan's staff
is criticizing the policy, the Globe reported. Speaking only anonymously,
some federal prosecutors questioned the fairness of decades-long sentences
for minor drug offenders. "It's politics," one told the Globe.
"He acts like he's still running for office," said another.
And the juggernaut rolls
on. Last year, 235 people were sent to prison for drug offenses in
the federal district of Massachusetts. That's an increase of more
than 30% since 1999, more than three times the national rate.
-- END --
Issue #264, 11/22/02
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