NCJ Number
184313
Date Published
1999
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This 1998 Annual Report on the activities and accomplishments of the U.S. Sentencing Commission describes the agency's varied research, training, and clearinghouse activities as well as information on Federal criminal cases sentenced under the guidelines in fiscal year 1998.
Abstract
In the fall of 1997, the Commission began a project to assess its organizational goals, structures, and process, so as to best serve the judiciary, other court professionals, and the public. In January 1998, the Commission published for comment a number of proposed amendments, including broad changes in the theft, fraud, and other economic crimes guidelines; issues on telemarketing fraud and other congressional initiatives; and proposals to address a number of circuit conflicts. On May 1, 1998, the Commission sent to Congress 11 amendments to the Federal sentencing guidelines. In this same month the Commission again co-sponsored the National Sentencing Guidelines Seminar in Clearwater Beach, Fla. During the summer of 1998, the Commission and the Criminal Law Committee of the Judicial Conference field tested a proposed revision of the definition of "loss" as used in theft and fraud cases. Further, the Commission is working with the Federal Judicial Center in the development of programming for the Federal Judicial Television Network. Other significant Commission activities for 1998 included papers presented by Commissions staff at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology, receipt of documentation on approximately 51,000 cases sentenced under the guidelines, "Helpline" assistance for guideline applications at the rate of approximately 200 calls per month, staff training, and response to information requests.