American Civil Liberties Union

Our constitution is meant to safeguard against government abuses of power. But all too often, the rights of those involved in the criminal justice system are compromised or ignored. The ACLU works to reform the criminal justice system and make the promise of fair treatment a reality for all people. >> More about the ACLU's Criminal Justice work.

Criminal Justice : Supreme Court Cases

Kimbrough v. United States decision (12/10/2007)
In this case, the Supreme Court affirmed that federal sentencing guidelines for sentences for cocaine offenses are advisory only, and that district courts may consider other factors - including the disparity in sentencing guidelines for crack and powder cocaine - in issuing sentences.

Kimbrough v. United States (07/26/2007)
Whether a federal trial judge may take into account the fact that the current Sentencing Guidelines for crack cocaine have proven unsound and been rejected by the Sentencing Commission itself when sentencing a crack offender. DECIDED

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