Such prosecutions of large numbers of individual de minimus cases are initiated with the intent of receiving widespread publicity, thereby deterring large numbers of similar offenses. The important point for purposes of this report is, however, that relatively minor offenses not initially prosecuted because of written declination policies are sometimes simply deferred until a significant number of similar cases accumulate. In summary, the written declination guidelines described in this report should be examined in light of their origins and their actual application. They describe the rough contours of the landscape, but they do not define its precise details. Further information on how written declination guidelines are applied in practice will be contained in the Department's final report. III. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS This study has examined the written declination guidelines and related material provided by United States Attorneys. Among the principal findings and conclusions of the study are the following: Written declination guidelines of some description . Written declination guidelines are promulgated in order . Written declination guidelines are typically prepared Many specific factors are taken into account in formulating and applying written declination guidelines, including the following: Written declination guidelines exist for over forty categories of criminal offenses and are most frequently applied to the following categories of offenses: Theft from Interstate Shipment Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property · Bank Fraud and Embezzlement Forgery of U.S. Treasury Checks Theft of Government Property Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle Crimes on Government Reservations The degree of diversity among the written declination Without exception, written declination guidelines These findings and conclusions may be supplemented or qualified by the additional data which the Department is currently collecting and analyzing. The Department, through the Criminal Division and the Executive Office of United States Attorneys, will continue to monitor written declination guidelines on a regular basis. Additional Departmental actions will be considered as additional information concerning declination policies and practices is received and analyzed. 13. 14. Extortion.. 21. 22. 23. Aircraft and Airport Offenses. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Bank Robbery and Related Offenses... 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Bond Default: Penalties for Failure to Appear in Court..... Copyright Matters "Tape Pirating", Counterfeiting.... Crimes on Government Reservations. 13479 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 Dyer Act: Interstate Transportation of a Stolen 23 24 25 26 28 35 36 37 25. 26. Immigration and Naturalization: Illegal Aliens. 24. Interstate Commerce Commission Offenses.. Offenses Committed in Indian Country.... 51 53 53 |