Mandatory Minimum Sentences

Mandatory minimum sentences are laws that set the lowest possible punishment for certain crimes, particularly serious offenses like drug trafficking or violent crimes. When a person is convicted of such a crime, judges have no discretion to impose a lighter sentence than the minimum established by law. This means that even if there are mitigating circumstances, the judge must impose at least the minimum sentence required. The intent behind these laws is to create uniformity in sentencing and deter crime, but they can also lead to harsh penalties and contribute to prison overcrowding.