• Law -> Criminal Law and Justice

• 0 Comment

Has criminal sentencing become more or less severe over the years in the United States?

Ozell Tummasutti

Hey there,

Thanks for asking about criminal sentencing in the United States. It's definitely a topic that has drawn a lot of attention in recent years.

To answer your question, I would say that criminal sentencing has become more severe in the United States over the years. There are a few different factors that have contributed to this trend.

One of the biggest factors is the "war on drugs" that began in the 1980s. This campaign led to harsher penalties for drug-related crimes, including mandatory minimum sentences that took discretion away from judges. Many people argue that these laws disproportionately affected people of color and low-income individuals, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of people incarcerated in the United States.

Another factor is the rise of the "tough on crime" mentality that began in the 1990s. Politicians began to use crime as a wedge issue, with many promising to crack down on crime and increase penalties for offenders. This led to the passage of laws such as "three strikes" laws, which mandated life sentences for people convicted of three felonies, no matter how minor.

There are certainly arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. Some people argue that harsher sentences are necessary to deter crime and keep society safe. Others worry that the criminal justice system has become too punitive, with too many people being incarcerated for non-violent offenses.

Regardless of where you fall on this debate, it's clear that criminal sentencing in the United States has become more severe over the years. It's up to all of us, as citizens, to continue to engage with this issue and work towards a more just and equitable criminal justice system.

I hope this helps answer your question! Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions on this topic.

Take care,

[Your name]