WASHINGTON (CN) - By 7-2 vote today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that judges may impose shorter terms for crack cocaine convictions, giving judges more discretion to reduce the disparity between sentences for crack and powdered cocaine.
Justices said a 15-year sentence for Derrick Kimbrough, a black veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, was sufficient, though federal sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of 19 to 22 years. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented. See ruling.
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