When was mandatory sentencing first used?

Mandatory sentencing first emerged in the United States in the 1970s, driven by a growing concern over crime and a push for tougher law enforcement measures. The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 established mandatory minimum sentences for certain federal offenses, notably drug-related crimes. This approach aimed to reduce judicial discretion and ensure consistent penalties for specific offenses across the board. Since then, many states have adopted similar laws, further entrenching the use of mandatory sentencing in the U.S. criminal justice system.