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March 5, 2009

New York Assembly Scales Back Rockefeller Drug Laws
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In other New York news, the state assembly has approved a measure to
partially reform the draconian Rockefeller drug laws and give judges
more discretion in sentencing. The bill would allow judges to send drug
offenders to substance abuse treatment instead of prison. Prisoners
jailed for nonviolent drug offenses would also be eligible to have their
sentences reduced or commuted. Critics fear that because it’s only a
partial reform, most prisoners won’t see any reprieve. Wednesday’s vote
was approved by a margin of 96-to-46. The bill now goes to the New York
State Senate.



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