Smith v. Follette
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Summary

In this 1971 case, the 2nd Circuit upheld sentencing law allowing judges to sentence people who committed felonies with drug addiction to prison rather than treatment, ruling it didn’t violate due process or equal protection.

1971 | Federal Juristiction

Smith v. Follette

Keywords sentencing law; drug addiction; prison; treatment; due process; equal protection; felonies; judicial sentencing
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The Second Circuit's 1971 Ruling on Sentencing and Drug Addiction

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 1971 decision, affirmed the legality of sentencing guidelines permitting judges to impose prison sentences on convicted felons with drug addiction, instead of mandating treatment. This ruling established that such sentencing practices did not infringe upon the constitutional guarantees of due process or equal protection under the law.

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The Second Circuit's 1971 Decision on Drug Addiction and Sentencing

The 1971 Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision addressed the legality of sentencing convicted felons with drug addiction to prison instead of treatment. The court found that such sentencing practices did not violate the constitutional guarantees of due process or equal protection under the law. This ruling established a precedent allowing judges significant discretion in sentencing individuals whose crimes were connected to drug addiction.

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The 1971 Second Circuit Court Case

A 1971 court case saw the Second Circuit Court of Appeals support laws letting judges send people convicted of drug-related felonies to prison instead of treatment programs. The court decided this sentencing practice didn't violate the legal rights to due process or equal protection under the law.

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Summary

In 1971, a court decided that judges could send people to jail instead of treatment centers, even if those people had committed crimes because of drug addiction. The court said this didn't break any fairness rules.

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Footnotes and Citation

Cite

445 F.2d 955 (1971)

Highlights