Sessions Memo Won't Change How Cases Are Handled in Ohio

Federal prosecution of drug cases won’t change, despite a memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions providing guidance from the new administration for charging suspects.  That’s according to the Acting US Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The memo, distributed last Wednesday, instructs US attorneys to seek “the most serious, readily provable offense,” signifying a shift from the Obama-administration policy of lesser-sentences for non-violent offenders.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sierleja (SIR-luh-jay) joined 90.3’s “The Sound of Ideas” and says his office reviews each situation on a case by case basis.

“The memo simply has directed us that we should go back to a time in which we are able to use all of the tools provided to us by Congress; nothing more, nothing less," Sierleja said. "I know there’s been some talk regarding going back to a time where everyone’s going to be charged, everyone’s going to be put in jail, and that’s simply not the case.”

Critics of the Sessions memo say the change will lead to lengthier and more prison sentences, similar to the war on drugs in the 1980’s.