Crack sentencing guidelines in dispute

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A new set of sentencing guidelines for crack possession or sales in the United States has prompted a deluge of courtroom battles, attorneys say.

The Washington Post said Thursday that the new guidelines were created to implement fair sentences for crack offenders, but defense attorneys and federal prosecutors remain divided on how to implement the regulations.

Defense attorneys say the new rules are helping fix systemic sentencing problems that have plagued U.S. courts. Prosecutors maintain that crack offenders are dangers to society and should be kept incarcerated under the regulations.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission implemented the new rules in an attempt to lessen prison time for crack offenders amid complaints of unfair sentencing laws.

Under the old rules, a conviction for distributing 5 grams of crack cocaine drew the same maximum prison sentence one would get for distributing 500 grams of regular cocaine, the Post noted.

Since March, more than 12,000 inmates convicted of cocaine offenses saw an average two years knocked off their sentences as a result of the rules change, the Post said.