U.S. judges urged repeal of legislation passed earlier this year that makes it more difficult for them to impose lighter sentences than specified in federal guidelines.
The Judicial Conference of the United States voted unanimously Tuesday to support overturning the law, which also requires reports to Congress on any judge who departs from the sentencing guidelines. Critics, including Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, have warned that could intimidate judges or lead to a "black list" of judges deemed soft on criminals.
Rehnquist chairs the 27-judge body, which sets policy for federal trial judges, appeals judges and others. Its recommendations usually are sent to Congress for consideration.
The judges object to limits on what are known as "downward departures" from recommended sentences for federal crimes. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., and others in Congress have criticized judges for using departures to get around the 15-year-old guideline system.
Read the whole story here from the AP via The San Diego Union-Tribune.