SENTENCING GUIDELINES WORKSHOP MEETING SUMMARY

• NCJ Number: 65477
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 25 pages
• Contract Number(s): J- LEAA-011-78
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; American University
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

HIGHLIGHTS OF A WORKSHOP SPONSORED BY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT STAFF ARE PRESENTED, FOCUSING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES IN SEVERAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

Abstract

PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORKSHOP, INCLUDING JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, AND PROJECT DIRECTORS, ARE IDENTIFIED, AND THE 2 DAY AGENDA IS OUTLINED. TOPICS PRESENTED INCLUDE ORIENTATION REMARKS; PROJECT PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND TESTING; IMPLEMENTATION; MONITORING AND EVALUATION; KEY ADMINISTRATIVE AND ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS; AND SPECIAL ISSUES. REPRESENTATIVES FROM SENTENCING PROJECTS IN 15 STATES SUMMARIZED THEIR PROJECT MANDATE, CURRENT STAGE OF ACTIVITY, RESEARCH APPROACH, AND SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST. FOR EXAMPLE, MINNESOTA'S GUIDELINES WILL FOCUS ON SENTENCES AND THE LENGTH OF INCARCERATION. GUIDELINES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION OBTAINED ON 50 PERCENT OF THE 1978 CASES AND ALL RELEASE DECISIONS DURING THAT PERIOD. DATA ANALYSIS WILL BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1979, AND THE GUIDELINES WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE. IN FLORIDA, THE SENTENCING PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN AS A RESULT OF CONCERN OVER SENTENCING DISPARITY, PLEA BARGAINING, AND THE DESIRE TO DEVELOP A TRAINING PACKAGE FOR JUDGES ON SENTENCING ISSUES. ALSO, FOUR ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED WHICH AFFECT THE PLANNING OF A SENTENCING GUIDELINES PROJECT: (1) WHO WANTS THE PROJECT, (2) WHY THE PROJECT IS BEING UNDERTAKEN (3) WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE, AND (4) WHETHER THE PROJECT MANDATE ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY TO ACCOMODATE UNANTICIPATED STUDY FINDINGS. THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING SUPPORT FROM JUDGES AND OTHER GROUPS WHO WILL USE THE GUIDELINES WAS EMPHASIZED. KEY ISSUES WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE GUIDELINES ON CORRECTIONAL POPULATIONS, DEALING WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS, AND ANALYZING PLEA BARGAINING PRACTICES WITHIN THE STATE. WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN CONTINUING COMMUNICATION BEGUN AT THE WORKSHOP THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS, OR OTHER FORMS OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE. (LWM)