Backman v. United States

On July 31, 1984, appellant Backman pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin. D.C.Code § 33-541(a)(l) (1986 Supp.).1 Pursuant to the mandatory minimum sentencing provision, id. § 33-541(c)(1), Backman was sentenced to a prison term of four to twelve years. Renewing the same argument he raised before the sentencing judge, Backman claims that, as a cocaine addict, he is eligible for waiver of the mandatory minimum sentencing requirement because he falls within the addict exception. See id. § 33-541(c)(2).2 After reviewing the statute and its legislative history, we must agree…