Legal Resources

Federal Sentencing Resources; from US Office of Defender Services (DC), 2008

US Office of Defender Services, featuring Crack Cocaine Guideline Amendments, Sentencing Resource Page, and other legal issues

The Public Library of Law is the world's largest free online database of law. You can read up on state laws and court rules, recent Appellate Court cases, and U.S. Supreme Court cases.

Legal research? These links can help you find case law:

FedCrimLaw.com
Federal Public Defender
FindLaw
Law Mall
Legal Research Center
Prison Legal News
Versuslaw

After Prison: Roadblocks To Reentry - A Report On State Legal Barriers Facing People With Criminal Records; from the Legal Action Resource Center

LegalJoint.net; the Web Site of WA State Lawyers Patrick Stiley & Frank Cikutovich, Specializing in Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Laws, Features State by-State MJ laws

Incarcerated Veterans Information and Resources Page; from FedCURE, Jul 06

For our Spanish Speaking Readers: The 'Zapp Manual' -- Manual De Pautas: Sentencias Y Leyes Federales De Narcotrafico Y Lavado De Dinero, by David Zapp & Sara Garcia-Rangel

The Re-Entry Policy Council has a resource, Parole Status: State by State, compiled from The Association of Paroling Authorities International, Parole Board Survey 2002

Prison Legal News also offers an extensive archive of past issues in downloadable PDF Format

Illicit Drug Policies: Selected Laws from the 50 States is the first comprehensive guide to illicit drug laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Also available in PDF Format.

Organizations and associations of legal professionals coordinating projects that focus on current drug policy:

American Bar Association
American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU
The Center for Constitutional Law (NY)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - NACDL
National Lawyers Guild - NLG
Voluntary Committee of Lawyers

IF YOU KNOW OF A FEDERAL INMATE SUFFERING MEDICAL NEGELECT: Federal CURE (FedCURE) has BOP executive staff designated as liaisons to handle inmate medical issues. You can contact them at: Medical@FedCURE.org or go to: www.fedcure.org/contactmedicalagreement.shtml for more information.

BOP FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions from The U.S. Bureau of Prisons

The Justice Policy Institute is a Washington, DC based think-tank that is committed to reducing society's reliance on incarceration. They publish many fine reports on drug policy and imprisonment issues. Read More.

Report to the Congress: Downward Departures from the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (October 2003). This report was submitted in response to section 401(m) of the the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-21. (Adobe Acrobat PDF format; 177 pages)

Reports on Downward Departures - from The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - NACDL

How to deal effectively with indifferent, hostile, or otherwise difficult federal prosecutors - By Judge Carl Horn III; Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District of North Carolina

Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Explained - An in depth guide to getting the documents you need from the government; compiled by Prisoners of the Drug War and the November Coalition. Note: Downloadable PDF format; you will need the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.

How Federal Laws are Passed

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