NCJ Number
67190
Date Published
1980
Length
69 pages
Annotation
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTICUT'S CRIMINAL SENTENCING PROCESS ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE SENTENCING COMMISSION ESTABLISHED BY THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Abstract
THE CONNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSION, AFTER RECEIVING A VARIETY OF INPUT AND EXAMINING AVAILABLE DATA ON SENTENCING PRACTICES AND THE USE OF JUDICIAL DISCRETION IN THE CONNECTICUT COURTS, PRESENTS THEIR GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SENTENCING FELONIES, ALONG WITH DETAILED DISCUSSIONS OF EACH RECOMMENDATION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION. THE COMMISSION FAVORS THE RETENTION OF JUDICIAL DISCRETION IN SENTENCING BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE. THE REPLACEMENT OF CURRENT INDETERMINATE SENTENCING WITH DETERMINATE SENTENCING IS RECOMMENDED, ALONG WITH THE ELIMINATION OF THE DISCRETIONARY RELEASE POWER OF THE PAROLE BOARD. THE ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES TO SPECIALIZE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS ENDORSED IN THE INTEREST OF PROVIDING GREATER CONSISTENCY IN CRIMINAL SENTENCING. STATE ATTORNEYS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP UNIFORM CRIMINAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES. THE STRENGTHENING OF THE STANDARDS AND AUTHORITY OF THE SENTENCE REVIEW DIVISION IS ALSO RECOMMENDED AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING GREATER SENTENCE UNIFORMITY. WHILE THE COMMISSION DOES NOT FAVOR A RIGID GRID SYSTEM FOR SENTENCING BECAUSE IT IS INCAPABLE OF CONSIDERING ALL OF THE VARIABLES AFFECTING A SENTENCING DECISION, A GRID SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE TO THE COURT SYSTEM WHILE PROVIDING FOR THE GREATEST CONSIDERATION OF THE PARTICULARITIES OF EACH OFFENSE AND OFFENDER. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A COPY OF THE ACT ESTABLISHING A CRIMINAL SENTENCING COMMISSION, A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF SENTENCING REFORM, AND A CONSIDERATION OF CURRENT CONNECTICUT SENTENCING PRACTICES. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)