STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE GRIFFIN B. BELL, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL CODE REFORM AT OF 1977, H.R. 6869

• NCJ Number: 43307
• Author(s): G B BELL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS TESTIMONY SUPPORTS THE NEED FOR REVISION OF THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL CODE TO ELIMINATE OUTMODED STATUTES, RECONCILE CONFLICTING PROVISIONS, AND CLARIFY AMBIGUITES AND DIFFERING INTERPRETATIONS.

Abstract

THE CRIMINAL CODE REFORM ACT IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON REFORM OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAWS (THE BROWN COMMISSION), WHOSE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1971. THE REPORT STARTED THE MANY YEARS OF WORK WHICH HAVE CULMINATED IN THIS REVISED CODE THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INTO CONGRESS AS H.R. 6869 AND S. 1437. BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW, THERE HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN A CONSISTENT THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AROUND WHICH IT COULD BE BUILT. INSTEAD, LAWS HAVE BEEN PASSED AS NEEDED, MANY CARRYING DISSIMILAR PUNISHMENTS FOR ESSENTIALLY THE SAME OFFENSES AND OTHERS LEGISLATING FOR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS WHICH NO LONGER EXIST. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN DEVELOPING THIS REVISED CODE ARE DETAILED. CONGRESS IS URGED TO KEEP THE SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD STRUCTURE OF THE REVISION AND TO ENSURE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY IN THE FINAL BILL. PASSAGE IS URGED.