NCJ Number
45744
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
IN THIS FIRST APPEARANCE ANY ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS EVER MADE BEFORE CONGRESS TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ACTIVITIES, AREAS OF GREATEST CONCERN ARE SPELLED OUT.
Abstract
IN 1978 THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS CALLED UPON TO OVERSEE THE ENTIRE RANGE OF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) ACTIVITIES. HERETOFORE, DOJ WAS ANSWERABLE ONLY TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THIS POLICY APPEARANCE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IDENTIFIES SEVERAL ISSUES AS BEING OF MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE YEARS 1978-1979. THE FIRST IS PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO ENABLE FEDERAL COURTS TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE CASELOADS. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ALREADY PASSED LEGISLATION INCREASING THE NUMBER OF JUDGESHIPS AND REDUCING FEDERAL LITIGATION BASED ON DIVERSITY OF CITIZENSHIP. NEEDED NOW IS LEGISLATION TO REFORM JUDICIAL SELECTION, RETENTION, AND RETIREMENT. ALSO NEEDED IS MANDATORY ARBITRATION OF CERTAIN DISPUTES AND IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS. EXPERIMENTAL NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR MINOR DISPUTES UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION; THESE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF IS FOCUSING ON WHITE COLLAR CRIME, ORGANIZED CRIME, ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC, AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION. THESE AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THOSE REQUIRING THE GREATEST DEDICATION OF RESOURCES. THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INSTITUTING MANAGEMENT CHANGES TO MAKE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION MORE EFFECTIVE AND IS WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO TIGHTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTROLS TO HELP DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. CONGRESS IS ASKED TO PASS THE CRIMINAL CODE REFORM ACT TO PUT FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAWS INTO A FORM MORE EASILY USED BY PROSECUTORS, COURTS, AND DEFENSE COUNSEL. UNIFORM LEGISLATION IS ALSO ASKED TO BRING ALL LEGAL AFFAIRS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT INTO ACCORD. AT PRESENT THERE ARE SO MANY EXCEPTIONS TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE, THAT SOME 26 SEPARATE FEDERAL ENTITIES NOW CONDUCT AS LEAST SOME OF THEIR OWN LITIGATION, EACH ENFORCING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE LAW. THIS HAS GROWN IN AN UNPLANNED WAY. THE SITUATION IS RAPIDLY BECOMING CHAOTIC. A UNIFORM APPROACH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL AGENCIES IS NEEDED. WITHIN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ITSELF A MAJOR REORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN PLACE. AN ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO BE THE SENIOR POLICY OFFICIAL FOR CIVIL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO THE LONG-STANDING OFFICE OF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO SERVES AS SENIOR POLICY OFFICIAL FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES. (GLR)