Liberals are likely scratching their heads today, wondering how a man with whom they disagree on so many things could have uttered such sensible views when it comes to drug policy and the criminal justice system in the United States. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said that while he doesn’t want to legalize drugs, he also doesn’t think people should spend time behind bars for non-violent drug crimes. Paul’s statement came on the heels of a bill he introduced with Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, that would give judges greater flexibility in adhering to mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, notes the Washington Post.
While arguing against mandatory minimum sentences for smoking pot, Paul pointed out that both President Bush and President Obama could have seen their lives destroyed by marijuana-related arrests, reports the Hill. “Look, the last two presidents could conceivably have been put in jail for their drug use,” Paul said. “Look what would have happened. It would have ruined their lives. They got lucky. But a lot of poor kids, particularly in the inner city, don’t get lucky. They don’t have good attorneys. They go to jail for these things. And I think it’s a big mistake.” Host Chris Wallace replied with a laugh: "Actually, I think it would be the last three presidents, but who's counting?"
2. John Pacenti does an in depth piece on Lewis Tein and its lawyer Paul Calli:
Lewis Tein hired attorney Paul Calli, a partner at Carlton Fields in Miami, to handle its defense against the civil charges brought by the Miccosukees.Calli has called for sanctions against the tribe in federal court, saying the lawsuit "is a political ploy, attempting to blame the Lewis Tein firm (along with the tribe's former officers, employees, lawyers, accountants and bankers) for internal issues relating to the tribe's business and legal affairs.""The tribe and its lawyer know (or should know) that the tribe's complaint is not supported by facts and law," he wrote in the Oct. 15 pleading. Cooke has taken under advisement the firm's motion to dismiss the amended complaint.Miami criminal defense attorney William Barzee, a supporter of the firm, noted Billie is up for re-election in November."This lawsuit seems nothing more than politics, a means to an end — an effort by current one-term chairman Colley Billie to stay in office by maligning Billy Cypress to prevent him being re-elected," Barzee said. "Lewis Tein and Dexter Lehtinen and the others suffer as collateral damage, casualties in the tribe's internal political blood feud."
3. The Canes are in the Sweet Sixteen. They escaped Illinois yesterday, which was a tough matchup for them, but matchup well against Marquette this Thursday.
4. Rumpole has some good stuff over at his blog this morning on bonds and why judges get stung when they let someone out who flees but never get credit when defendants show up. The Herald article that he discussed leads to way too many people who should be on bond getting detained.
Can anyone name a jurisdictions that has a mandatory minimum sentence for those who get caught smoking pot?
ReplyDeleteMy parents' house when I was a teenager?
ReplyDeleteGreat quote by Barzee.
ReplyDelete2:03: maybe not smoking pot, but how about transporting 500 pounds of the stuff across state lines? That's a "non-violent drug crime" too.
ReplyDeleteArticles like this are incredibly important, as the world of Law is constantly changing, and as such, it's often difficult for the average joe to keep up. This can lead to people being hesitant in approaching Law firms. Posts like this help to bridge that gap, and help those who need financial advice to approach firms.
ReplyDeleteGreat writing.