Drug Sentences Can Be Cut Retroactively, U.S. Agency Says
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Federal drug offenders may get their sentences cut by an average of two years under changes to U.S. guidelines in a move praised by Attorney General Eric Holder, who has made fair sentencing and prison overcrowding two of his signature issues.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to allow some convicts to return to court and seek shorter terms, according to a statement by the agency. The commission, which has the legal power to permit judges to act retroactively, said offenders eligible for reductions could see their sentences cut by an average of 25 months, or 18.8 percent.