NCJ Number
99849
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Reagan administration favors capital punishment for first degree murder under Federal jurisdiction and for espionage involving serious breaches of national security.
Abstract
The death penalty is an effective deterrent for crimes involving planning and calculation, such as espionage and assassination of a President. The Reagan administration supports capital punishment legislation that would cover all offenses in the Federal code for which the punishment could extend to death. Such legislation should also specify procedures to be followed in those cases where the Government seeks the death penalty. Procedures should include ample notice to the defendant in advance of the trial that the death penalty will be sought and a postverdict sentencing hearing at which the Government may introduce aggravating factors and the defendant may introduce mitigating factors. Aggravating factors should be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before the death penalty can be imposed. Mitigating factors would be established by a preponderance of the evidence. The factfinder would weigh proven aggravating and mitigating factors in determining the sentence. 4 footnotes.