NCJ Number
59638
Date Published
1978
Length
199 pages
Annotation
THIS 1978 HEARING BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY EXPLORES DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE DEATH PENALTY.
Abstract
TESTIMONY WAS RECEIVED ON H.R. 13360, A BILL TO AMEND THE FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND THE FEDERAL RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE TO PROVIDE FOR POSTCONVICTION PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN CRIMINAL CASES. THE BILL IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE'S WORK TO RECODIFY FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAWS, AND IT PROVIDES FOR IMPOSITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN CERTAIN CASES. THE BILL REPRESENTS AN ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH CONSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES (RULING BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL PER SE) AND SIGNIFICANT MORAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE ISSUE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. TESTIMONY WAS REPRESENTED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE MENNONITE RELIGIOUS GROUP, THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, THE U.S. CATHOLIC CONFERENCE, THE ILLINOIS COALITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY, THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. A COPY OF H.R. 13360 IS INCLUDED. (DEP)