Peters, Graham, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill Establishing a National Criminal Justice Commission

Press Release

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today introduced the bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015, legislation that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission to review the criminal justice system from top to bottom and propose reforms to address the most pressing issues facing the nation's criminal justice system. Recent incidents, like the traffic stop of Floyd Dent in Inkster, MI, and civil unrest in areas like Baltimore, MD and Ferguson, MO have highlighted the need for a top-to-bottom evaluation of our criminal justice system. Peters introduced the legislation with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and John Cornyn (TX).

"With a troubling rise in tensions between police and civilians in communities in Michigan and across the country, more than two million people in prison and unsustainable costs, it is clear that an overhaul of our criminal justice system is long overdue," said Senator Peters. "The National Criminal Justice Commission will review policies, practices and costs to determine the best methods to protect public safety and promote fairness in our justice system. I'm proud to join Senators Graham and Cornyn in introducing this bipartisan bill that will help identify solutions to the serious issues facing our criminal justice system, build stronger relationships between law enforcement and our communities, and strengthen faith in our criminal justice system."

"This is a long overdue measure," said Senator Graham, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee's Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee. "The men and women representing law enforcement understand the need for this legislation, and I appreciate them pushing Congress to move forward on this important issue. I think the nation will be better off with this essential top-to-bottom review of the most pressing issues facing our nation's criminal justice system."

"It is becoming increasingly clear that we must find ways to reform our criminal justice system to make our communities safer and save taxpayers money," said Senator Cornyn. "There are no easy answers, but I am proud to partner with Sens. Peters and Graham to ensure the federal government is exploring consensus-driven solutions using a model similar to the 9/11 Commission."

The legislation would create a 14-member, bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission made up of Presidential and Congressional appointees, including experts on law enforcement, criminal justice, victims' rights, civil liberties and social services.

The Commission would be charged with completing an 18-month, comprehensive review of the national criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice systems, and issuing recommendations for changes in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime, increase public safety and promote confidence in the criminal justice system.

The last comprehensive review of the criminal justice system was conducted in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson created the Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. The 1965 Commission's report offered 202 recommendations that have shaped the current criminal justice system, including the creation of the 9-1-1 system establishment of research organizations like the Bureau of Justice Statistics and improved training and professionalization for law enforcement.

The transparent and bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission would also provide a better understanding of community relationships with law enforcement and the administration of justice through our court system, and identify effective policies to address a broad range of issues in the criminal justice system including crime reduction, incarceration and prisoner reentry.

The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015 is supported by a broad coalition of criminal justice organizations, including law enforcement, crime victims and criminal justice reform advocates.

Source