Revolt to sentencing is gaining momentum

Article Abstract:

Some federal judges voice opposition to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, complaining that the guidelines lead to unduly harsh sentences for minor drug offenses and rob judges of discretion. It has been estimated that 50 senior judges are refusing to handle drug cases due to the guidelines. The commission has promised to ask Congress to change the guidelines so as to give judges more discretion. A bill to repeal mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines has been introduced in Congress.

---

Proposed guidelines for environmental crimes irk business

Article Abstract:

The business community is unhappy with proposed corporate sentencing guidelines issued by the US Sentencing Commission's advisory working group on environmental sanctions, claiming they are too stringent and hostile to business. The method of calculating base fines for corporate environmental offenses comes in for the most criticism, and the list of aggravating and mitigating circumstances proposed is also a source of displeasure.

Laws, regulations and rules, Offenses against the environment, Environmental crimes

---

Sentencing overload hits the circuits; appellate judges stagger under guidelines-generated appeals

Article Abstract:

Federal circuit courts are overloaded due to the appeals resulting from the 1987 Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The 1987 law reversed the situation in which most sentences could not be appealed. Thus, in the five years from 1988 to 1992, there have been 23,000 appeals filed using the guidelines. An emerging trend from the appeals is support of the government and increased severity of sentences rather than support of the appeals.

Management, Circuit courts, Appellate courts

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Is innovation king at the antitrust agencies? The intellectual property guidelines five years later. Toward a flexible rule of reason
• Abstracts: Overseeing and overlooking: The US federal authorities' response to money laundering and other misconduct of BCCI
• Abstracts: Let your fingers do the talking; electronic mail can help lawyers stay in touch with clients. Six mistakes lawyers make; misadventures in technoland that needn't happen
• Abstracts: Some grumble over implant pact; but approval is expected. Breast implants hurt children? Second-generation cases
• Abstracts: Perkins lands in California; the Seattle firm is enjoying an unusually successful start in a dream destination: Silicon Valley

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.