[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        REFORMING HABEAS CORPUS

  (Mr. ALLARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the concerns of Stuart 
VanMerveren and Chris Hefty who are district attorneys in the Fourth 
Congressional District of Colorado. As Congress reviews the well 
intentioned proposals in the House crime package, it's important to 
remember there is a wealth of experience on these issues in our own 
districts. We should arrive at solutions to crime control by listening 
to individuals like Stuart and Chris who have direct experience with 
our justice system. One of the great failings of our criminal justice 
system is in the area of habeas corpus petitions. Our current system 
offers expensive roadblocks to capitol punishment. Courts are spending 
too much time on questions of process rather than the merits of a case. 
Due process is important but once those protections are exhausted it is 
our responsibility to protect society from repeatedly violent 
offenders. I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues who worked to 
simplify habeas corpus but am concerned that the package before the 
House will worsen rather than solve our problems. My concerns, shared 
by these district attorneys, is that the habeas corpus reforms in the 
House package will prolong the process rather than shorten it.
  Mr. Speaker, let us listen to the people who know what the criminal 
justice system needs. They strongly agree that we do not need more 
redtape for death row felons.

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