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INTRODUCTION - THE ABA (AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION) STANDARDS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE

NCJ Number
26434
Journal
American Criminal Law Review Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 251-253
Author(s)
W E BURGER
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM ISSUE ON THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) STANDARDS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE HIGHLIGHTS THE CONTENTS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STANDARDS.
Abstract
STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTS THE SINGLE MOST COMPREHENSIVE UNDERTAKING IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVER ATTEMPTED BY THE AMERICAN LEGAL PROFESSION. THE STANDARDS REPRESENT MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF WORK, STUDY, AND DEBATE BY MORE THAN 100 OF THE NATION'S LEADING JURISTS, LAWYERS, AND LEGAL SCHOLARS. THEY ARE INTENDED TO BALANCE THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED INDIVIDUAL. TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THEY CAN BE USED BY THE STATES AND BY THE FEDERAL SYSTEM TO ELEVATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO A NEW LEVEL. INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME ARE ARTICLES TRACING THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STANDARDS AND PROGRESS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT, A BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE SUBSTANTIVE CONTENT OF THE STANDARDS, A DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE THAT COURT RULE CAN PLAY IN IMPLEMENTATION, A REVIEW OF A FEDERAL COURT'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE OMNIBUS HEARING PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN THE STANDARDS, AND AN EXPLANATION OF THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ABA STANDARDS AND THOSE OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS. ASSISTANCE BY THE ENTIRE LEGAL COMMUNITY IN STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION IS ENCOURAGED. THE INTRODUCTION PROVIDES ONE FOOTNOTE.