NCJ Number
65476
Date Published
1979
Length
57 pages
Annotation
A SUMMARY OF THE STATUS OF SENTENCING REFORM ACTIVITIES IN EACH STATE, AS DEVELOPED BY THE LEAA-FUNDED COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT, IS PRESENTED. MATERIAL IS CURRENT THROUGH MARCH 1979.
Abstract
IN 1978, THE PROJECT INITIATED A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO DETERMINE WHAT SENTENCING REFORM ACTIVITIES WERE UNDERWAY, AND WHETHER SENTENCING GUIDELINES PROJECTS WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN. STATE PLANNING AGENCIES AND/OR STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS WERE CONTACTED, AS WELL AS LOCAL OFFICIALS, WHEN NECESSARY, IN ALL 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS IS PRESENTED BY STATE. INFORMATION CATEGORIES INCLUDE STATUS OF ACTIVITY, PROVISIONS FOR APPELLATE REVIEW OF SENTENCING, POSSIBLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS, PERSONS CONTACTED, AND UPDATE INFORMATION. A TOTAL OF 20 SENTENCING PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS; 13 OF THESE ARE OCCURRING AT THE STATE LEVEL, WITH THE REMAINING 7 PROJECTS CONDUCTED IN LOCAL COURT SYSTEMS. A TOTAL OF 10 JURISDICTIONS PLAN TO BEGIN A PROJECT SHORTLY. THE FOCUS AND SCOPE OF THESE PROJECTS VARY SIGNIFICANTLY. SOME ARE DESIGNED MERELY TO ANALYZE SENTENCING PRACTICES, WITHOUT ANY MANDATE TO DEVELOP SENTENCING GUIDELINES; OTHERS ARE DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY TOWARD GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT. METHODOLOGIES VARY IN TERMS OF THE EXTENT OF DATA USED, THE PROCEDURES EMPLOYED FOR COLLECTION, AND THE TYPES OF ANALYSES PERFORMED. MOST OF THE PROJECTS ARE STILL IN THE RESEARCH PHASE. FOR EXAMPLE, MARYLAND, A COMMITTEE OF JUDGES WORKING WITH THE STATE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS IS CONSIDERING THE MERITS OF DEVELOPING SENTENCING GUIDELINES. IF THE STATE RECEIVES LEAA FUNDING, SOME TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE DESIRED. IN ALABAMA, NO SENTENCING GUIDELINES ACTIVITY IS UNDERWAY. FOOTNOTES PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LWM).