PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE, PRESENTED BY EUGENE L RHODEN, JR ON FEBRUARY 6, 1978 CONCERNING HR 7747 (FROM PRETRIAL RELEASE AND DETENTION, P 219-227, 1978 - SEE NCJ-66651)

• NCJ Number: 66659
• Author(s): E L RHODEN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington Urban League, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DIRECTOR OF THE WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE YOUTH ARBITRATION CENTER REPORTS ON THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF WASHINGTON'S BLACK AND LATINO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ON THE SUBJECT OF PREVENTIVE DETENTION TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

Abstract

THE PREPARED STATEMENT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS CONCERNING H.R. 7747, AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CODE WITH RESPECT TO PRETRIAL RELEASE OR DETENTION OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH CERTAIN VIOLENT OR DANGEROUS CRIMES. THE DIRECTOR DESCRIBED CRIME AS THE THIRD MOST IMPORTANT CONCERN (AFTER THE HIGH COST OF GOODS, SERVICES, AND HOUSING) OF THE RANDOM SAMPLE OF FAMILIES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE URBAN LEAGUE IN 1976. DESPITE THE INTENSITY OF THEIR CONCERN WITH STREET CRIME (OF WHICH THEY ARE THE MOST FREQUENT TARGETS AND VICTIMS), THE URBAN LEAGUE'S CONSTITUTENTS FAVORED NEITHER PRETRIAL DETENTION NOR ITS EXPANSION AS ENVISAGED BY H.R. 7747. THEY FOCUSED THEIR OPPOSITION ON THE PROVISION OF H.R. 7747 ALLOWING JUDGES TO INITIATE PRETRIAL DETENTION PROCEEDINGS, BECAUSE IT WOULD DIVEST JUDGES OF THEIR IMPARTIALITY AND ENCOURAGE THEIR REMOTENESS FROM PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT WITH CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, WHICH CITIZENS REGARD AS THEIR BEST HOPE FOR HIGH QUALITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY. LENGTHENING THE PERIODS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION FROM 60 TO 90 DAYS WAS ALSO CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INJURIES (TO DEFENDANTS EVENTUALLY FOUND INNOCENT) AND A HIGHER COST TO TAXPAYERS. THE URBAN LEAGUE'S CONSTITUENCY CALLED FOR SPEEDIER TRIALS OF CAREER CRIMINALS AND STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING LAWS AGAINST THEM, RESULTING IN REALISTIC SENTENCES IN LIEU OF THE REVOLVING-DOOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DELIVERY AGAINST WHICH OPERATION DOORSTOP (REGARDED WITH APPROVAL BY ALL GROUPS OF WASHINGTON CITIZENS) WAS DIRECTED. OTHER MEASURES, SUCH AS THIRD-PARTY CUSTODY PROGRAMS, RESTITUTION PROGRAMS FOR PROPERTY CRIMES, AND MORE CREATIVE USE OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION, WERE ALSO CITED AS MORE DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVES TO PRETRIAL DETENTION.