SENTENCING REFORM IN THE STATES: AN OVERVIEW OF THE COLORADO LAW REVIEW SYMPOSIUM

• NCJ Number: 144133
• Journal: University of Colorado Law Review Volume: 64 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 645-654
• Author(s): K R Reitz
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at a symposium of the University of Colorado School of Law, 1993, Boulder

Annotation

The 1993 University of Colorado Law Review Symposium was organized around one idea, the need for an increased focus on sentencing reform issues at the State level by policymakers, the judiciary, the bar, and the academic community.

Abstract

The symposium illustrated that a significant amount of sentencing reform has occurred at the State level over the past 15 years. In the late 1970's, several States adopted statutory determinate sentencing reforms (California, Colorado, and North Carolina). Beginning in 1980, several States adopted presumptive sentencing guidelines (Minnesota, Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Kansas). Currently, certain States are evaluating major changes in their sentencing laws (Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah). The symposium examined the focus on Federal sentencing guidelines and the lack of attention to State sentencing reforms, with papers divided into three broad areas: global sentencing reform issues, race and sentencing, and drug sentences. Specific presentations addressed the continued advisability of sentencing commissions and guidelines, discretionary versus determinate sentences, structural issues in sentencing reform, racial disparities and discrimination in sentencing, and drug treatment as a sentencing option. 40 footnotes