Judge says federal sentencing guidelines unconstitutional. In Boston, U.S. District Judge William Young yesterday declared the federal sentencing guidelines unconstitutional, according to the Associated Press via the Boston Globe:
“In a scathing criticism of the current system for handing out punishment for defendants convicted of federal crimes, a judge on Monday declared the federal sentencing guidelines unconstitutional.
“In a series of drug cases, U.S. District Judge William Young said the sentencing guidelines put too much power in the hands of prosecutors and give judges too little discretion in sentencing.”
As of this morning, the opinion is not available on the court's Web site. [Robert Ambrogi's LawSites]