Sound like a trick question? Read Radley’s post over at Hit and Run.
Courtesy of the drug war comes the concept of using crimes for which you’ve been acquitted as part of the sentencing formula.
From a U.S. District Court in Virginia (and the whole thing is a pretty disturbing read):
From the public’s perspective, most people would be shocked to find out that even United States citizens can be (and routinely are) punished for crimes of which they were acquitted.
No kidding. I knew the 6th Amendment was in trouble, but did not realize that the Supreme Court had authorized sentencing based on acquitted charges.
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Both Radley Balko and I will be at the SSDP National Conference this weekend. I’ve known Radley online for some time, but am looking forward to meeting him in person for the first time. I’m also looking forward to meeting a whole bunch of drug policy reformers and Drug WarRant readers this weekend. Hope to see you there. Please introduce yourself to me.
Also, a reminder that I will be moderating a debate at 6 pm tonight in Urbana/Champaign, Illinois. Should be fun.
Servetus on Catholic bishops fear marijuana and freethinking: “An ancient Egyptian mug was found by a USF professor to have once contained hallucinogens: 15-Nov-2024–A University of South Florida…” Nov 17, 20:11
