Mandatory minimum sentences are automatic, minimum prison terms set by Congress. Judges in the U.S. are required to base their sentences on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, mandatory minimum sentencing laws, or both. In 1986 the U.S. Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act which enacted new mandatory minimum sentences for drugs. People caught with 5 grams of crack cocaine were given jail sentences of 5 years without parole (the same sentence as people caught with 500 grams). The legislation was in response to the moral panic involving the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980’s. In 201…
Read more40% Yes |
60% No |
27% Yes |
60% No |
13% Yes, but only for drug dealers, not users |
See how support for each position on “Mandatory minimum prison sentences” has changed over time for 1.8m America voters.
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See how importance of “Mandatory minimum prison sentences” has changed over time for 1.8m America voters.
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Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8PPBWMZ3yrs3Y
All drugs should be legalized at a federal level
@8PJJPVK3yrs3Y
Yes, but only for drug dealers and for users there should be a mandatory rehab sentence.
@9D9TN4F9mos9MO
No, unless a violent crime is committed, and if so, punitive measures should be related to the violent crime and not drug possession
@8XQT4ZN2yrs2Y
All drugs should be legal so this is irrelevant
@8GQSF754yrs4Y
It depends on what type of drug it is, if they are a drug dealer, if they are selling it to kids and harming others, etc.
@8X54X5C3yrs3Y
Decriminalize drugs and institute programs to rehabilitate drug addicts instead of punishing them
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