How Will the Upcoming Elections Affect Criminal Drug Law?
Posted on July 3, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, Drugs, Laws, News |
There are two important upcoming elections that can and will affect the criminal drug laws in California, the upcoming presidential and gubernatorial elections. It’s important to remember that both political parties have differing views of crime control, Republicans tend to be more in favor of putting people in jail while Democrats usually favor rehabilitation and a different stance.
With California’s prison system overcrowded, it will be up to the new governor to solve the overcrowding problem. One foreseeable solution would be to pass alternative drug sentences, allowing those arrested of possession to attend rehab and counseling rather than spend time in prison. There has been a great deal of news in the last year or so about how the criminal justice system should treat drug offenders.
Gavin Newsom, currently Mayor of San Francisco, is planning on running for governor, although his handling of immigration issues related to criminal activity could cause problems. Apparently, eight drug dealers from Honduras were able to walk away from a no-security boarding house in a program created by the mayor.
During elections politicians like to look tough on crime, and will discuss putting drug dealers and drug offenders behind bars. They are usually an easy target, and few people are willing to stand up for convicted or alleged drug dealers.
The presidential election too will have an impact on California drug laws, as presidential candidates especially will want to appeal to the entire nation and look to be “tough on crime.” What this means for california drug law is that there will probably be a tightening of restrictions, even though the White House is likely to switch parties. The election for governor in 2010 may find an easing of sentences on drug offenders, but with large portions of Californa having a more conservative perspective, the easing may not be too great.
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