Combating Violent Crime: 24 Recommendations to Strengthen Criminal Justice

• NCJ Number: 137713
• Author(s): A G McBride; R Scott; S R Schlesinger; S D Dillingham; R B Buckman
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 68 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; US Dept of Justice; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The primary goal of the criminal justice system should be to identify and incarcerate violent chronic offenders, and specific recommendations are offered to help States strengthen violent crime prevention efforts.

Abstract

The recommendations, made by the U.S. Attorney General, are grouped in six categories: (1) pretrial detention; (2) criminal sanctions; (3) juvenile reform; (4) procedural reform; (5) law enforcement; and (6) respect for the victim. States should have constitutional authority for pretrial detention of dangerous defendants; adopt truth in sentencing by restricting parole practices and increasing the time actually served by violent offenders; adopt mandatory minimum penalties for gun offenders, armed career criminals, and habitual violent offenders; provide sufficient prison and detention capacity; institute the death penalty for the most heinous crimes; require able-bodied prisoners to work or engage in public service; adopt drug testing; and use asset forfeiture to fight crime and supplement law enforcement resources. In addition, States should establish a range of tough juvenile sanctions that emphasize discipline and responsibility to deter nonviolent first-time offenders from further crimes and provide for the use of juvenile offense records in adult sentencing. States should also enact and enforce realistic speedy trial provisions, reform evidentiary rules, reform habeas corpus procedures, invest in quality law enforcement personnel, coordinate the use of social welfare and law enforcement resources, maintain computerized criminal history data, and provide statutory authority for electronic surveillance. Finally, States should hear and consider the perspective of victims in sentencing and early release proceedings, provide victim- witness coordinators, adopt victim restitution, implement evidentiary rules to protect victim-witnesses from courtroom intimidation and harassment, permit victims to require HIV testing before the trial of persons charged with sex offenses, and notify victims of the status of criminal justice proceedings and offender release status. Footnotes and figures