NCJ Number
60897
Date Published
1978
Length
2916 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY IS REPORTED FROM HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REGARDING H.R. 6869, LEGISLATION TO REVISE AND RECODIFY FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAWS.
Abstract
HON. JAMES R. MANN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, NOTES IN HIS OPENING REMARKS THAT THE GENERAL CIRCUMSTANCE PROMPTING THE INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 6869 IS THE OVERLAP OF MANY PROVISIONS IN FEDERAL LAW AND THE LACK OF A GENERAL ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE FOR FEDERAL LAWS. H.R. 6869 SETS FORTH IN A COMPREHENSIVE, ORDERLY, AND CLEAR MANNER ALL OF THE PRINCIPAL STATUTES AND RULES CONCERNING FEDERAL CRIMES AND THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. IT FOLLOWS THE GENERAL FORMAT OF THE AMERICAN LAW INSTITUTE'S MODEL PENAL CODE DEVELOPED FOR STATES. GENERAL APPLICABLE LEGAL PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS OF COMMONLY-USED TERMS ARE PROVIDED IN ONE SECTION, GROUPED IN A RATIONAL FRAMEWORK. TO PRODUCE GREATER UNIFORMITY IN SENTENCING, THE BILL CREATES A SENTENCING GUIDELINE SYSTEM, SUBJECT TO LIMITED APPELLATE REVIEW. ADMINISTRATION WITNESSES SUPPORT THE BASIC FORMAT AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSED CODE, WHILE ALLOWING FOR IMPROVEMENT IN SOME SPECIFIC PROVISIONS. TESTIMONY IS GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, VARIOUS STATE OFFICIALS, ATTORNEYS, LEGAL EXPERTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM CONCERNED PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. TESTIMONY IS REPORTED FROM HEARINGS ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1977; FEBRUARY 21, 22, 28; MARCH 1, 6, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21; APRIL 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, AND 24, 1978. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS BEARING UPON H.R. 6869 ARE INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIXES OF EACH OF THE THREE VOLUMES OF TESTIMONY. (RCB)