NCJ Number
162382
Journal
State Legislatures Volume: 20 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1994) Pages: 27
Date Published
1994
Length
1 page
Annotation
This article reviews the features of the Federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, with attention to the strategy the Federal Government is using to impact violent crime in State and local jurisdictions.
Abstract
The act increases penalties for existing violations of Federal law; the new law adds the death penalty for more than 60 Federal offenses. Through new prison construction grants, the Federal Government hopes to induce States to increase prison construction, increase the incarceration of violent offenders, and adopt so-called "truth-in-sentencing" laws. Further, the act expands the scope of Federal criminal law by "federalizing" State crimes. This involves creating new Federal crimes where State law would have previously applied. Among the new Federal crimes added are the possession of handguns by a juvenile, theft of major art works, and interstate domestic violence. The bill provides more than $30 billion in new Federal spending on what is essentially State and local law enforcement. Spending in the bill falls into three broad categories: law enforcement, prisons, and prevention. More than half the spending goes toward "cops on the beat" and State prison grants. Although there has been much public debate over whether the new crime bill will accomplish what it intends, i.e., a significant reduction in violent crime in America, not much attention is being given to the implications of the act's provisions for a new State-Federal interaction in addressing violent crime in State and local jurisdictions. Will it be a constructive partnership, or will the new Federal presence hamper State flexibility and prove to be counterproductive?