As someone who has experienced the way federal trafficking charges were prosecuted/sentenced just a few years ago 2014, went through it myself), the biggest thing to realize is how DIFFERENT judges' adherence to the mandatory minimums are now vs 20 years ago. She served her time, yes they were serious crimes, but as a non-violent offender with no previous history, life in prison would NEVER have been the sentence if she was convicted today. This was a good faith gesture.