The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

US Attorney General orders prosecutors to seek toughest sentences

Sessions told Justice Department attorneys they should apply the most serious charge possible that can be proven in court.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions

In a two-page memo, Sessions told Justice Department attorneys around the country that, when prosecuting a case, they should apply the most serious charge possible that can be proven in court.

"By definition, the most serious offenses are those that carry the most substantial guidelines sentence, including mandatory minimum sentences," the memo said.

Sessions said the new stance "advances public policy and promotes respect for our legal system."

ADVERTISEMENT

It comes as the new administration of President Donald Trump has promised a crackdown on violent crime, illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

It could reverse the directives of former president Barack Obama's attorney general Eric Holder, who -- addressing a three-decade old swelling of the prison population with largely black men -- sought to end the widespread application of harsh "mandatory minimum" sentences for relatively small and non-violent crimes.

Sessions' order said prosecutors in most cases should stick to recommending sentences within the statutory rules, following the mandatory minimums.

Prosecutors wanting to recommend lighter punishment than the official standard, Sessions said, will have to get permission from their superiors, in addition to providing written justification.

Under Holder, US attorneys were allowed to negotiate lesser charges and lighter sentences to avoid, for example, a second or third-time non-violent drug offender from being jailed for decades under mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT