CNN recently reported that a federal judge in Iowa reluctantly imposed the federal mandatory minimum drug sentence of five years in prison on a grandmother who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute five or more grams of methamphetamine. The judge noted that had she been tried in state court, she would have gotten probation since she was never in trouble with the law before.

Mandatory sentencing takes administering the law out of judges' hands, leaving them unable to consider all mitigating circumstances. The judge should have authority over administering the law, not federal agencies in D.C. and certainly not Attorney General Jeff Sessions, since neither hear these cases. Mandatory sentencing on those convicted of victimless crimes also impose an economic burden on society, who not only has to pay room and board of the convicted in prison, but also the families of those convicted are deprived of the economic and family role that those convicted of victimless crimes played at home.

This imposes a burden on the rest of society, for the people left behind need to be provided for to the extent they can't provide for themselves. Put federal drug sentencing back in the hands of the judges where it belongs.

Michael Radowitz

Newburgh

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Letter: Judges should get say in drug sentencing - Times Herald-Record