NCJ Number
162447
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 82 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Based on the author's personal interview with Attorney General Janet Reno, as well as interviews with those who appraise her performance as Attorney General, this article provides an overview of her emphases and effectiveness as Attorney General of the United States.
Abstract
Reno, who has been praised and assailed from both sides of the political spectrum, is apparently more interested in broad challenges and goals than in looking back; however, she still reviews in her mind the decision to use force on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Tex., a decision that led to events that killed some 80 adults and children. Since then, she has had to deal with the increased threat of domestic terrorism following the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City. Bruce Fein, a former associate attorney general in the Reagan Justice Department appraises Reno's tenure as "pedestrian." He is particularly critical of her weak clout with Congress and her reluctance to use her position as a "bully pulpit." Paul Rothstein, a Georgetown University law professor, is more impressed with Reno's performance, stating that the "total picture is of a good, workmanlike job." From her own perspective, she has tried to develop a working relationship with Congress that focuses on the issues. She is proud of the Justice Department's efforts to deal with violent crime by working with local authorities and U.S. attorneys in the field. She continues to be concerned about youth violence and has sponsored several initiatives to combat it, including legislation that would prohibit gun possession by juveniles and programs to help youthful offenders reintegrate into the community. In the area of drug enforcement, she advocates special drug courts that provide nonviolent, first offenders a chance to avoid punishment by participating in treatment programs under court supervision. She also continues to focus on white-collar crime, including health care fraud and telemarketing frauds that swindle the elderly.