After decades of tough-on-crime laws and mandatory minimum sentences that sent people in New York to prison for years, the First Step Act marks a transition in attitudes toward criminal sentencing guidelines. The bill won approval in the U.S. Senate on a vote of 82 to 12. Although critics call it a "prisoner release bill," the legislation, if it succeeds in becoming law, would provide sentencing relief to people convicted for crack cocaine offenses prior to 2010.
Driving safely in the winter months
New York residents should consider the tips offered by AAA and the National Safety Council when it comes to safe winter driving. First, vehicles must be made ready for cold conditions. A mechanic could check components like the brakes, ignition and battery while also assessing tire wear, tire pressure and antifreeze levels. Drivers should also know the function of safety features like anti-lock braking, which comes in handy during this season.
The contents of the First Step Act
The First Step Act, which is a bill that is being considered in Congress, might have an effect on some inmates in New York. It will make the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act, which addressed the sentencing disparity in cocaine and crack cocaine cases, retroactive, and this will affect approximately 2,600 inmates. They will still have to go to court to address the issue.
Former Prosecutors