Number: RS21598
Title: Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Statutes: An Abbreviated Overview
Authors: Charles Doyle, American Law Division 
Abstract: Mandatory minimums come in several varieties: the not-less-than, the flat sentence, the piggy-back, and the sentencing guideline versions. In any form, they are not per se unconstitutional, although in rare instances they might be so grossly disproportionate as to offend the Eighth Amendments cruel and unusual punishments clause.
Pages: 5
Date: December 27, 2007