S 114 · 97th Congress · Crime and Law Enforcement

A bill to establish rational criteria for the imposition of the sentence of death, and for other purposes.

Introduced 1981-01-15· Sponsored by Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ]· Senate

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
Senate Vote
4
House
5
Enacted
Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 186.(1981-07-01)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense for which death is a possible penalty. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence. Specifies: (1) mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by preponderance of the information; and (2) aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, including particular factors to be considered in certain national security crimes. Requires the jury to determine: (1) by majority vote the existence of mitigating or aggravating factors; and (2) by unanimous vote whenever the aggravating factors sufficiently outweigh the mitigating factors to justify the death sentence. Directs the court to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Limits the circumstances under which the offense of delivering defense i…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only

Cosponsors (4)

1 Democrat3 Republicans