Home : Drug Policy : Sentencing and Penalties

U.S. v. Ross - ACLU Opening Brief (11/21/2008)
The ACLU's opening brief to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals asserting a constitutional right to legal counsel for those seeking resentencing based on the recent reduction to the federal sentencing guideline range for crack-cocaine offenses.

Kimbrough v. United States - ACLU Amicus Brief (07/26/2007)

U.S. v. Spears - Amicus Brief in Support of Appellee (06/01/2006)
A friend-of-the-court brief submitted by the ACLU and noted sentencing experts in support of the right of judges to depart from the notorious 100-to-1 crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity.

U.S. v. Ricks - Brief in Support of Appellee (05/18/2006)
A friend-of-the-court brief submitted by the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project and a coalition of renowned law professors and sentencing experts in support of judges' right to depart from the 100-to-1 crack/powder sentencing disparity in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Booker v. U.S.

U.S. v. Castillo - Amicus Brief in Support of Appellee (02/17/2006)
A friend-of-the-court brief submitted by the ACLU and noted sentencing experts in support of the right of judges to depart from the notorious 100-to-1 crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity.

Appellant Brief in Starks v. U.S. (01/20/2006)

ACLU Coalition Amicus Brief in U.S. v. Starks (01/20/2006)
ACLU and noted sentencing experts brief arguing for judges' right to reject controversial 100-to-1 crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity.

Judge Shubb's Sentencing Transcript in Starks v. U.S. (01/20/2006)