Coming to your tv screen in January--two shows, 60 Minutes and West Wing, will feature the negative side of mandatory minimum sentences. Leaders of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) worked closely with producers of both shows. Set your tivos now.

On Jan. 4, 60 Minutes will air Ed Bradley’s investigation of recent attacks on judicial discretion and the effects of mandatory sentencing. FAMM member Brenda Valencia, who served a 10-year federal mandatory minimum sentence, and Eric Sterling, FAMM board member, were interviewed for the segment.

On Jan. 14, The West Wing will show President Bartlett, just before the State of the Union address, deciding whether to veto a popular piece of legislation because it contains an amendment limiting judicial discretion in sentencing (he decries the “war on judges” being waged by some in Congress.) As a signal of the seriousness of his purpose in opposing long mandatory sentencing, he also considers commuting the sentences of a number of drug offenders, as recommended by the Justice Department. We were told that the episode includes a scene in which the President talks to the president of FAMM (portrayed on the show as a man!) whose sister is serving a mandatory minimum drug sentence. Although we feel our Julie Stewart is the real star, we are thrilled that FAMM is part of the show.

[link via Hit and Run]