Although some states are openly debating the legalization of marijuana, Alabama does not appear ready to take that step just yet. Still, there are some advocates for legalization, such as former gubernatorial candidate Loretta Nall. Brian Schoenhals In a sluggish economy, as states are struggling to keep the books balanced, several have been asked to discuss the legalization and regulation of marijuana, both as a cost saver and as a source of tax revenue. Under current law, a first time arrest for possession of marijuana for personal use is a misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction is a class C felony, punishable by one year and one day to 10 years in prison. State law does not differentiate between distribution of marijuana and distribution of other controlled substances. [continues 1405 words]
TALLADEGA -- A corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution was arrested Tuesday afternoon by the FBI on a charge of attempting to provide or possess contraband in prison, according to a press release issued Wednesday morning. Ronald Lee Hammonds, 35, of Sycamore was arrested without incident in the Taco Bell parking lot in Talladega at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the press release. According to Supervisory Special Agent Raymond C. Zicarelli, Hammonds is accused of providing marijuana to prison inmates. The arrest was made following an investigation that went on for more than two months. [continues 270 words]
These people, of both sexes, white and black, of all ages and from various locations, have only one thing in common. All of them have been convicted of various crimes involving methamphetamine. They are, tragically, the cutting edge of a rapidly growing problem. A Long History The methamphetamine scourge is not new by any means. "Meth has actually been around since the 1800s," said Bruce Freeman, an emergency response trainer for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. "It was used by the Germans during World War I and by the Germans, Japanese and Americans during World War II to help keep bomber pilots awake for 30 hours at a time. [continues 1510 words]
TALLADEGA COUNTY - Multi-agency drug task forces, including Talladega County's, may be losing the federal funds that make up 75 percent of their budgets, according to an Associated Press story. Last year, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs doled out more than $7.5 million in U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance funds to the state of Alabama, according to the DOJ's Web site. This year, the Associated Press said, that figure is down to about $5.2 million. In the budget for fiscal 2006, President Bush proposes eliminating such funding all together. [continues 732 words]
Last week, the Alabama Sentencing Commission handed down a new set of voluntary guidelines for judges to use in sentencing felony offenders. The guidelines will now go to the state Legislature, and if they are approved there, would go into effect in October. The new guidelines are designed to serve three basic purposes: reduce disparities in sentence lengths for similar crimes, reduce prison overcrowding and bring Alabama one step closer to "truth in sentencing." These last two issues are closely related. Lack of funds and prison overcrowding have led to massive waves of parole hearings for criminals serving lengthy sentences. In several local cases, individuals serving 15 and 25-year sentences for "non-violent" felonies are being given a shot at freedom after having been incarcerated for less than a year. [continues 1642 words]
Curtis Lamar Garrett, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, specifically crack cocaine, in Talladega County Circuit Court in November 2003. Garrett and his wife, Valerie, had been selling crack to an undercover informant from their home. Circuit Judge Julian King accepted the plea, and sentenced Garrett to 25 years in prison the following February. Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance is normally a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Garrett, however, had two prior convictions for distribution, and his home was within 3 miles of a school. As a result, his 25-year sentence was the minimum possible under Alabama's sentencing guidelines. [continues 1355 words]
Although drug abuse puts a strain on virtually every aspect of civil society, it probably places no greater burden anywhere than on the justice system. And, according to local prosecutors, at least one of the major factors in creating this strain is a lack of resources to punish those who break drug laws. "Being a prosecutor is not an easy job, by any means," said Talladega County District Attorney Steve Giddens. "If all of a sudden every single illegal drug in the county were to disappear, this still wouldn't be an easy job. But it would be a lot easier than it is now." [continues 1303 words]
