Inmates under repealed laws.?

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muells34

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What happens to current inmates when a standing law is repealed?

Ex: when Prohibition ended, what did they do with the people they had incarcerated for alcohol related crimes months or even years prior? Did they let them go? or Did they just say too bad?
 
It depends if the law is repealed, or struck down.

While prohibition was in force it was the law of the land, and people who broke that law were committing a crime. When prohibition was repealed then it was no longer the law - but that doesn't change the fact that it *was* a valid law while in force.

People convicted of alcohol related offenses, therefore, were still required to serve out their sentences.

Now, when a law is struck down as unconstitutional, or overly vague, or for some other reason, the courts are saying "This law itself is invalid". In that case, the conviction of anyone convicted under it is set aside. If they are still in prison, they get released.

Richard
 
there is no good answer to your question, some times they have reduced the sentences, and in some case''s they have let many go free....but at the same time many are still in prison for things you and I couldn't even be arrested for....I know this is not a good answer, but its true
 
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