SCOTUS puts cap on repeat offender laws

[Scoop]

High court limits use of repeat offender law


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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court is making it tougher for federal prosecutors to seek longer prison terms for people convicted of repeated violent crimes.

The justices ruled 5-3 Thursday that lower courts are limited in how they can consider prior state crimes for purposes of increasing sentences under the federal Armed Career Criminal Act.

The court sided with Richard Mathis, who pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge. He received a 15-year sentence - five more than he otherwise would have gotten - because of prior state convictions for burglary.

Mathis argued that Iowa burglary laws are broader than federal ones. But a federal appeals court said it could look beyond the elements of the state law to see whether Mathis' conduct would have violated federal burglary law.

The Supreme Court disagreed.

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This story has been changed to correct the court's vote to 5-3.

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[Dr. Acula]

Eh I'm conflicted. We know the prison system is fukked up and is more punitive than rehabilitation. But at the same time you have these dudes who can't seem to keep out of jail. Even worse it seems their crimes progress. Perhaps these individuals need to be locked up longer, if not for good because despite numerous chances they can't stop fukking up. It's a question if they will ever not be a bane on society and if it's better just to remove them from it. Sounds heartless but if you can't stop robbing, assaulting people,etc like this dude them what should society as a whole do,"?

With younger offenders there is still a chance but if your a grown adult in your 30s and 40s I don't think there is much chance you'll change.

 

[levitate]

At first glance, not really feeling this ruling....Will have to read up a bit more on it.