SPECIAL PROSECUTOR LEGISLATION - HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 95TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION, ON HR 2835 AND RELATED BILLS, MAY 18, 1977

• NCJ Number: 59032
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 329 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TESTIMONY BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS CALLING FOR COURT APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY SPECIAL PROSECUTORS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IS RECORDED.

Abstract

THE WITNESSES INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION. ALL TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE CONCEPT OF A COURT-APPOINTED TEMPORARY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO DEAL WITH ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION BROUGHT AGAINST HIGH-LEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. REFERRING PRIMARILY TO H. 2835, A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE 95TH CONGRESS, AND TO S. 555, ITS SENATE COUNTERPART, THE WITNESSES SUGGEST REFINEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION. THE TESTIMONY TOUCHES ON SUCH ISSUES AS WHETHER THE POWER TO REMOVE A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FROM OFFICE SHOULD BE VESTED IN THE COURTS OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN DETERMINING WHETHER CHARGES AGAINST A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ARE 'NONFRIVOLOUS,' THE ADVANTAGES OF A TEMPORARY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR (AS OPPOSED TO A PERMANENT 'OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT CRIMES'), THE MOOD OF THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING WATERGATE, AND EXTENSION OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR LEGISLATION TO COVER ABUSES OF POWER BY INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. ACCOMPANYING THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE WITNESSES' TESTIMONY ARE COPIES OF THEIR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, RELATED MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD, AND THE NUMEROUS PIECES OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR LEGISLATION CONSIDERED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE. (LKM)