NCJ Number
129733
Date Published
1990
Length
332 pages
Annotation
This report of the American Legislative Exchange Council presents its recommendations for model State laws in the areas of criminal justice, substance abuse, and civil justice.
Abstract
Model laws pertaining to criminal justice focus on ensuring swift, certain, and effective sentences; improving the conviction rate; and the protection of victims' rights and gun ownership. The model laws designed to ensure swift, certain, and effective sentences pertain to the privatization of corrections, prison work opportunities, intensive probation, electronic home detention, and shock incarceration. Model laws designed to improve the conviction rate focus on the exclusionary rule, the insanity defense, criminal record reporting, judicial sentencing disclosure, and DNA profiling. Some of the model laws designed to protect victims' rights focus on victim impact statements, open parole hearings, and the confidentiality of victim and witness addresses. Resolutions oppose constraints on the ownership of semiautomatic firearms as well as a waiting period for gun purchases. Model laws that address substance abuse pertain to education, law enforcement, drug-free workplaces and communities, and drug treatment. Model laws in the area of civil justice are relevant to the prescription of liability, compensation guidelines, and judicial procedure. 40 notes