Reading Assignment for Section 3.5

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 3.5: Sentencing and Judicial Discretion.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll examine how sentencing laws and guidelines shape the outcomes of drug-related cases, particularly for non-violent offenders. You’ll explore the impact of reforms like the Fair Sentencing Act and alternatives such as drug courts and rehabilitation programs. By the end, you’ll understand the challenges of addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities and strategies to create a fairer judicial system.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 3.5: Sentencing and Judicial Discretion

• SLO 1: Explain how federal sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimum sentencing laws impact the handling of drug offenses, particularly for non-violent offenders.
• SLO 2: Analyze the role of judicial discretion in drug sentencing and evaluate the effects of limiting judicial flexibility through standardized sentencing rules.
• SLO 3: Assess the significance of recent reforms, such as the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, in addressing disparities and rigidities in drug sentencing laws.
• SLO 4: Compare alternatives to incarceration, such as drug courts and rehabilitation programs, and their effectiveness in addressing drug-related offenses and reducing recidivism.
• SLO 5: Investigate the racial and socioeconomic disparities in drug sentencing and propose strategies to create a more equitable and fair judicial system.

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