USC Subchapter IV

34 U.S.C. § 12521 Increased penalties for drug-dealing in “drug-free” zones

Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, the United States Sentencing Commission shall amend its sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement for a defendant convicted of violating section 860 of title 21.

34 U.S.C. § 12522 Enhanced penalties for illegal drug use in Federal prisons and for smuggling drugs into Federal prisons

(a) Declaration of policyIt is the policy of the Federal Government that the use or distribution of illegal drugs in the Nation’s Federal prisons will not be tolerated and that such crimes shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (b) Sentencing guidelinesPursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, the United States Sentencing Commission shall amend its sentencing guidelines to appropriately enhance the penalty for a person convicted of an offense—(1) under section 844 of title 21 involving simple possession of a controlled substance within a Federal prison or other Federal detention facility; or (2) under section 841(b) of title 21 involving the smuggling of a controlled substance into a Federal prison or other Federal detention facility or the distribution or intended distribution of a controlled substance within a Federal prison or other Federal detention facility. (c) No probationNotwithstanding any other law, the court shall not sentence a person convicted of an offense described in subsection (b) to probation.

34 U.S.C. § 12523 Violent crime and drug emergency areas

(a) DefinitionsIn this section— “major violent crime or drug-related emergency” means an occasion or instance in which violent crime, drug smuggling, drug trafficking, or drug abuse violence reaches such levels, as determined by the President, that Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives, and to protect property and public health and safety. “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. (b) Declaration of violent crime and drug emergency areasIf a major violent crime or drug-related emergency exists throughout a State or a part of a State, the President may declare the State or part of a State to be a violent crime or drug emergency area and may take appropriate actions authorized by this section. (c) Procedure(1) In generalA request for a declaration designating an area to be a violent crime or drug emergency area shall be made, in writing, by the chief executive officer of a State or local government, respectively (or in the case of the District of Columbia, the mayor), and shall be forwarded to the Attorney General in such form as the Attorney General may by regulation require. One or more cities, counties, States, or the District of Columbia may submit a joint request for designation as a major violent crime or drug emergency area under this subsection. (2) FindingA request made under paragraph (1) shall be based on a written finding that the major violent crime or drug-related emergency is of such severity and magnitude that Federal assistance is necessary to ensure an effective response to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety. (d) Irrelevancy of population densityThe President shall not limit declarations made under this section to highly populated centers of violent crime or drug trafficking, drug smuggling, or drug use, but shall also consider applications from governments of less populated areas where the magnitude and severity of such activities is beyond the capability of the State or local government to respond. (e) RequirementsAs part of a request for a declaration under this section, and as a prerequisite to Federal violent crime or drug emergency assistance under this section, the chief executive officer of a State or local government shall—(1) take appropriate action under State or local law and furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be committed to alleviating the major violent crime- or drug-related emergency; (2) submit a detailed plan outlining that government’s short- and long-term plans to respond to the violent crime or drug emergency, specifying the types and levels of Federal assistance requested and including explicit goals (including quantitative goals) and timetables; and (3) specify how Federal assistance provided under this section is intended to achieve those goals. (f) Review periodThe Attorney General shall review a request submitted pursuant to this section, and the President shall decide whether to declare a violent crime or drug emergency area, within 30 days after receiving the request. (g) Federal assistanceThe President may—(1) direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, financial assistance, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance efforts; and (2) provide technical and advisory assistance, including communications support and law enforcement-related intelligence information. (h) Duration of Federal assistance(1) In generalFederal assistance under this section shall not be provided to a violent crime or drug emergency area for more than 1 year. (2) ExtensionThe chief executive officer of a jurisdiction may apply to the President for an extension of assistance beyond 1 year. The President may extend the provision of Federal assistance for not more than an additional 180 days. (i) RegulationsNot later than 120 days after September 13, 1994, the Attorney General shall issue regulations to implement this section. (j) No effect on existing authorityNothing in this section shall diminish or detract from existing authority possessed by the President or Attorney General.