ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS

To the Editor: It is not surprising that New York's district attorneys are
speaking out against reform of the state's mandatory sentencing laws, even
those applying to low-level nonviolent drug offenders (news article, Feb.
6). These harsh drug statutes do not abolish discretion; they remove it
from the judge's hands and concentrate it in the prosecutor's office. Now,
whoever sets the charge controls the outcome of the case. The statewide
coalition of New York's prosecutors has always aggressively opposed any
proposal to amend the Rockefeller drug laws, even those modest in scope,
because such measures would curtail their power. It is welcome news that
the state's political leaders, including Gov. George E. Pataki, now appear
willing to challenge this self-interested posture of law enforcement officials.

ROBERT GANGI

Executive Director, Correctional Association of New York

New York, Feb. 6,