Opinion ID: 314281
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Restoration of Rehabilitative Discretion of Sentencing

Text: 185 Judge: The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 186 The other pertinent recommendation of the Prettyman Commission (1963) and Katzenbach Commission (1967) for restoration of discretionary authority in the sentencing judge (probation, including suspension of sentence; no mandatory minimum) and parole, was accomplished by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This was enacted as Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, P.L. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1236. 36 This Prettyman Commission recommendation (text at note 31 supra) was reiterated in 1967 by the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, 37 which stated: 187 The Commission recommends: State and Federal drug laws should give a large enough measure of discretion to the courts and correctional authorities to enable them to deal flexibly with violators, taking account of the nature and seriousness of the offense, the prior record of the offender and other relevant circumstances. 188 The President's 1969 message, while recommending expansion of rehabilitation and research measures in recognition of an obligation of society to help the genuinely sick people dependent on drugs, stated that their sickness helps to explain, but not to excuse, the crimes they commit. 38 However, the Administration made clear that its concern for such sick people, while not extending to exculpation, did embrace provision for treatment while on probation or parole. 189 Attorney General Mitchell, outlining the Administration's proposal at the hearings, emphasized the need for tailoring of disposition to the requirements of the violation or the narcotics addict, both in length of detention, and in possibility of rehabilitation and treatment while on probation or parole. 39 190 This approach was reflected in the 1969 report submitted by Senator Dodd in behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was in line with Senator Dodd's presentation to the 1962 White House Conference. The Report 40 stated: 191 It had also become apparent that the severity of penalties including the length of sentences does not affect the extent of drug abuse and other drugrelated violations. The basic consideration here was that the increasingly longer sentences that had been legislated in the past had not shown the expected overall reduction in drug law violations. 192