Supreme Court to decide if "and" means all or any in sentencing law
- The Supreme Court will determine if "and" means all or any of three conditions in First Step Act provision.
- The case concerns mandatory minimum sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders.
- Ruling could impact thousands of sentences, with nearly 6,000 trafficking convictions in 2021 potentially affected.
- Linguists argue for broad interpretation favoring defendants, while some raise intent concerns.
- Decision expected by spring 2023 and could influence judicial discretion in drug offense sentencing.