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Dean Kevin Cole Testifies at U.S. Sentencing Commission Hearings

SAN DIEGO, May 28, 2009 — University of San Diego School of Law Dean Kevin Cole testified today at the public hearing of the United States Sentencing Commission held at Stanford University. This public hearing was the second in a series of regional hearings to mark the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (SRA).

During his testimony, Dean Cole encouraged the commission to develop approaches that will more effectively foster dialogue with the federal judiciary in addressing the widespread criticism that the guidelines impose excessive penalties for certain crimes.

The SRA established the commission as an independent agency in the judicial branch of government and directed it to establish sentencing policies and practices for the federal criminal justice system, principally through the promulgation of federal sentencing guidelines. The hearings allow commissioners to hear directly from judges, practitioners, academics, and other individuals about their experiences with, and any suggestions regarding, federal sentencing policy.

Click here to read Dean Cole’s written testimony.