28 U.S.C. § 334 : US Code - Section 334: Institutes and joint councils on sentencing

Search 28 U.S.C. § 334 : US Code - Section 334: Institutes and joint councils on sentencing

(a) In the interest of uniformity in sentencing procedures, there
is hereby authorized to be established under the auspices of the
Judicial Conference of the United States, institutes and joint
councils on sentencing. The Attorney General and/or the chief judge
of each circuit may at any time request, through the Director of
the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Judicial
Conference to convene such institutes and joint councils for the
purpose of studying, discussing, and formulating the objectives,
policies, standards, and criteria for sentencing those convicted of
crimes and offenses in the courts of the United States. The agenda
of the institutes and joint councils may include but shall not be
limited to: (1) The development of standards for the content and
utilization of presentence reports; (2) the establishment of
factors to be used in selecting cases for special study and
observation in prescribed diagnostic clinics; (3) the determination
of the importance of psychiatric, emotional, sociological and
physiological factors involved in crime and their bearing upon
sentences; (4) the discussion of special sentencing problems in
unusual cases such as treason, violation of public trust,
subversion, or involving abnormal sex behavior, addiction to drugs
or alcohol, and mental or physical handicaps; (5) the formulation
of sentencing principles and criteria which will assist in
promoting the equitable administration of the criminal laws of the
United States.
(b) After the Judicial Conference has approved the time, place,
participants, agenda, and other arrangements for such institutes
and joint councils, the chief judge of each circuit is authorized
to invite the attendance of district judges under conditions which
he thinks proper and which will not unduly delay the work of the
courts.
(c) The Attorney General is authorized to select and direct the
attendance at such institutes and meetings of United States
attorneys and other officials of the Department of Justice and may
invite the participation of other interested Federal officers. He
may also invite specialists in sentencing methods, criminologists,
psychiatrists, penologists, and others to participate in the
proceedings.
(d) The expenses of attendance of judges shall be paid from
applicable appropriations for the judiciary of the United States.
The expenses connected with the preparation of the plans and agenda
for the conference and for the travel and other expenses incident
to the attendance of officials and other participants invited by
the Attorney General shall be paid from applicable appropriations
of the Department of Justice.