Law
Fair Sentencing Act of 2010
Reduced the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.
Year
2010
Impact
Positive
Status
Active
Party
Democratic Party
Era
Contemporary Era
Impact Context
Reduced a sentencing disparity that had disproportionately harmed Black communities.
What This Policy Did
Reduced a sentencing disparity that had disproportionately harmed Black communities.
Evidence and Linked Records
John Lewis Voting Access Restoration Act
Critical • Idea • 2 linked bills
Criminal Justice Reparations and Sentencing Equity Act
High • Idea • 1 linked bills
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Sources
U.S. Department of Justice • Government
DOJ explanation of how the Fair Sentencing Act changed the crack cocaine threshold quantities tied to federal mandatory minimums.
U.S. Department of Justice • Government • Aug 3, 2010
DOJ memorandum stating the revised crack cocaine thresholds for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum penalties.
U.S. Department of Justice • Government • Apr 21, 2014
DOJ statement describing the Fair Sentencing Act as reducing the disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses.