U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a directive on Wednesday to federal prosecutors that rolls back an important Obama-era policy.
Under the Obama administration, federal prosecutors had been instructed by former Attorney General Eric Holder not to pursue charges with mandatory minimums for many criminals.
Axios reported on Friday Holder had instructed prosecutors to ensure “most severe mandatory minimum penalties are reserved for serious, high-level, or violent drug traffickers.”
In a letter sent to federal prosecutors this week, Sessions reversed the Obama administration’s policy and directed prosecutors to “pursue the most serious, readily provable offense.”
“First, it is a core principle that prosecutors should charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense,” Sessions wrote. “This policy affirms our responsibility to enforce the law, is moral and just, and produces consistence. This policy filly utilizes the tools Congress has given us.”
Jeff Sessions announces major criminal justice reform, rolls back weak Obama-era policy
Under the Obama administration, federal prosecutors had been instructed by former Attorney General Eric Holder not to pursue charges with mandatory minimums for many criminals.
Axios reported on Friday Holder had instructed prosecutors to ensure “most severe mandatory minimum penalties are reserved for serious, high-level, or violent drug traffickers.”
In a letter sent to federal prosecutors this week, Sessions reversed the Obama administration’s policy and directed prosecutors to “pursue the most serious, readily provable offense.”
“First, it is a core principle that prosecutors should charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense,” Sessions wrote. “This policy affirms our responsibility to enforce the law, is moral and just, and produces consistence. This policy filly utilizes the tools Congress has given us.”
Jeff Sessions announces major criminal justice reform, rolls back weak Obama-era policy