Regardless of the specific details it's still a good story and potentially a deterrent for anyone else wanting to give smack a try....
The penalties for it in Louisiana are stiff as shit ~ there's no such thing as misdemeanor heroin possession. If you're convicted of having it (in any amount) the sentence is mandatory life - period.
You're wrong on that...you might not even serve jail time for possesion..and you could do as little as 5 years for selling it.
http://www.november.org/razorwire/rzold/25/page3.html
In mid-June 2001 the Louisiana House put final approval on a Senate bill (SB 239 approved overwhelmingly in May) by a 65-35 vote, with minor changes. Gov. M.J. "Mike" Foster (D) supported the legislation and signed the bill into law.
SB 239 marks a dramatic turnaround for Louisiana, which currently boasts the nation's highest per capita incarceration rate. Once signed into law, the bill will:
End mandatory minimum sentences for a wide variety of non-violent crimes ranging from skimming gambling profits to promotion of obscene devices and also including drug offenses.
The 4-year minimum sentence for heroin possession, for example, may now be suspended or served on probation. In a successful amendment in the House, video voyeurism, arson of a church and weapons possession will still mandate mandatory minimums.
Reduce drug possession and sales sentences.
Sale of heroin, currently punishable by a life sentence, will now draw a sentence of 5-to-50 years. For possession or possession with intent of more than 60 pounds of marijuana, the sentence range is halved to 5-to-30 years. Methamphetamine manufacturing sentences were reduced most dramatically, from 40-to-99 years to 10-to-30 years. Cocaine distribution drops from a 5-year minimum sentence to a 2-year minimum.
Set up a panel to review currently incarcerated inmates and determine whether they should be eligible for early parole hearings.
Change the state's habitual offender law, so that before someone can be sentenced to life under its provisions, he/she must have been convicted of two violent felonies. Under current law, any felony convictions count.
