NCJ Number
95440
Date Published
1983
Length
106 pages
Annotation
Hearing testimony focuses on the more effective collection of Federal criminal fines.
Abstract
In his opening statement, Senator Percy explains that over the past 16 years, the Federal Government has collected only about 55 percent of all criminal fines. He reports that because of the overcrowded conditions in prisons, many white-collar offenders are levied fines rather than sentenced to prison. In case after case, however, no punishment is levied when the fine is not paid. Senator D'Amato suggests several methods for improving collection rates: first, Justice Department attorneys should emphasize criminal fine collection; second, the collection process must be systematized to enable those charged with collecting fines to have the latest, most comprehensive debtor information available; and third, Justice Department attorneys should instruct the judge, at sentencing, regarding a payment mechanism. William Strauss -- Chief Counsel and Staff Director, Subcommittee on Energy, Nuclear Proliferation, and Government Processes -- suggests several reasons why the fines are not being paid and urges clarification of the responsibilities of the various segments of the criminal justice system. Sally Hillsman, Research Director of the Vera Institute of Justice, pinpoints conditions that encourage successful collection of fines and emphasizes the importance of setting fines properly, establishing clear collection procedures, and using sanctions effectively. James Knapp, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, affirms the Department's support of the effort to improve the collection of fines. Five illustrations and four references are included.