4 ms·

He is referring to federal sentencing.

• ceejayoz 4y ago
  The same thing happens in state sentencing. There's a vast gap between minimum and maximum sentencing. Most sentences fall somewhere in the middle, depending on the details of the particular act in question. (You stole from a little old lady versus stealing from a drug dealer, for example.)
  • nicbou 4y ago
    Doesn't that lead to vastly unfair sentencing? For example you could target a specific group with harsher sentences, or use minor crimes to stick people with the maximum sentence. Everyone is guilty of something.
    • ceejayoz 4y ago
      Yes. 20% longer for black men for the same crime. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/11/16/black-men-sentenced-to-more-time-for-committing-the-exact-same-crime-as-a-white-person-study-finds/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/11/16/black... (Some would say this is the point.)
      • ldh0011 4y ago
        Not at all surprising but still horrific...