NCJ Number
81580
Date Published
1981
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This statement of the Attorney General of the United States to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advocates the adoption of the proposed recodification of the Federal criminal law as a contribution to solving the crime problem.
Abstract
The new code would clarify and rationalize Federal criminal law and make investigations and prosecutions more efficient. The code contains over 100 significant improvements in criminal law. Among these would be a strengthened commitment to better coordination among Federal, State, and local law enforcement; bail reform provisions that would help solve the problems resulting from pretrial release of drug traffickers; longer sentences of imprisonment for criminals convicted of serious offenses; and the requirement of restitution for victims from criminals who can afford to pay and compensation from a fine fund for victims of violent offenses. The code is the product of the joint efforts of the sponsoring senators and the Department of Justice. While earlier bills have proposed important advances for law enforcement, the present bill goes much further in increasing the Federal Government's capacity to respond to serious crime in the Nation. The code's simple treatment of intent and other mental elements that must accompany conduct before it may be considered criminal would make the process of proof more efficient. It would also bring the Federal laws into close accord with the laws of most States that have recently modernized their own penal laws. Other provisions would permit the Federal Government to prosecute a violent crime committed in the course of any other Federal offense and would directly provide Federal jurisdiction over murders for hire. Additional provisions of the code are described.