"These sentences are mandatory regardless of the individual's background, character, role in the offense, and the circumstances of the offense. Whether the person is a first-time offender, for instance, is irrelevant" (Rockefeller drug laws, Drug Policy Alliance Network, 2009). In 2004, the NY State Legislature passed the Drug Law Reform Act of 2004 (DLRA) which imposed some limited reforms on the Rockefeller Drug Laws, including shorter minimum sentences, giving convicted inmates some access to drug treatment, and expanding parole requirements so that individuals without incident for three years would be allowed 'out of the system' ("Rockefeller drug laws," Drug Policy Alliance Network, 2009). But there was no return to the full exercise of judicial discretion that...

Many community activists continue to protest the laws because they contend the laws disproportionately and unfairly affect minorities and individuals who have committed only small infractions and who are on the 'lower rungs' of drug criminal hierarchies.
Works Cited

Murray, Don. "Online New York criminal sentence assistant." Shelley & Murray. 2008.

May 24, 2009. http://www.queensdefense.com/nysentences.htm

Rockefeller drug laws. Drug Policy Alliance Network. 2009.

May 24, 2009. http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/newyork/rockefellerd/