The Latest News. What are FAMMs. Mandatory sentences for drugs are the most commonly used federal mandatory sentences. These narrow criteria disregard other important factors, such as motivation to break the law, the offender's role in the offense, and likelihood of re-offending that help determine the appropriate punishment.
Mandatory sentences require an offender to serve their entire sentence, without parole.
An additional mandatory sentence can be applied if a firearm is present during a drug offense. There are several mandatory minimum sentences that are triggered by firearms. Under this law, constructive possession or use of a gun during a drug offense adds 5 years to the total sentence for the drug offense. This law applies to any person caught with a weapon who has a felony offense on his or her criminal record. As with all mandatory sentences, this law is often applied unjustly.