MEMO

TO:

Jarrett Williams

FROM:

Sergio Olivas

DATE:

September 14, 2015

SUBJECT:

Project Topic

Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is an organization dedicated to the elimination

of mandatory sentences for non-violent drug offenses. The organization was established in 1991
after the founder had a loved one be a victim of a harsh mandatory sentence. Notably, the judge
of that particular case agreed that the law was too harsh, but he had to follow it accordingly. For
these reasons that have become a common issue in American families, their goal is to abolish
mandatory sentences from the legal system because the group recognizes their lack of discretion
that must be fundamental to the common law system.
With FAMMs goal already stated, the organization has its methods of reaching towards the goal.
FAMM discusses the need of criminal justice reform by spreading an awareness of the
consequences of mandatory sentences. They do so by communicating with the public on social
media and by having resources available on their website for taxpayers, affected families, law
enforcement officers, and law makers. They also encourage others to raise an awareness about
the issue by informing others on social media, sharing a personal story on their webpage, or
sharing the work that FAMM has done and will continue to do. The organization also produces
results in legislative reform by advocating for laws on the federal and state level. They do so by
encouraging individuals to call or message their representatives in Congress, and they offer
template emails supporting mandatory sentencing reform for those who do seek to contact their
representatives.
The efforts of FAMM is related to my topic issue because since there has been a gradual by
magnifying change in social attitude about the use of certain drugs, there should also be a change
in the way defendants are tried to reflect a more fair and discretionary judgement. FAMM is a
major organization that dedicates itself to reforming American drug policies as it pertains to
harmless offenses and families affected by the prolong incarceration of a family member.