THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, RAFFERTY, O'PAKE, WASHINGTON, TARTAGLIONE, FONTANA, LEACH, ALLOWAY AND WILLIAMS, MAY 13, 2010

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, MAY 13, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a

criminal justice advisory committee to study the issues

raised by The Philadelphia Inquirer and any other relevant

issues regarding the criminal justice system in Philadelphia

to develop solutions for problems that are identified and to

make a report to the Senate with recommendations.

WHEREAS, From December 13 through December 16, 2009, The

Philadelphia Inquirer published a series of articles entitled

"Justice: Delayed, Dismissed, Denied," describing a criminal

justice system in disarray; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "For three

consecutive years, Philadelphia has had the highest violent

crime rate among the nation's 10 largest cities" but, with the

exception of murder cases, "Philadelphia conviction rates trail

the nation's in rape, robbery, and serious assault cases"; and

Whereas, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that

"Philadelphia defendants are thumbing their noses at the city's

judges and victims, given a free pass by the system's

ineffective bail program – and skipping court in huge numbers";

and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "Witness

intimidation pervades the Philadelphia criminal courts,

increasingly extracting a heavy toll in no-show witnesses,

recanted testimony – and collapsed cases"; and 

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that many cases

fall apart in Municipal Court, "Of robbery and aggravated

assault cases filed in 2006 and 2007 in Municipal Court, about

half were immediately tossed or withdrawn – and never went to

Common Pleas Court, where felonies are decided"; and 

WHEREAS, On April 19, 2010, as a follow-up to The

Philadelphia Inquirer's series, the Senate Judiciary Committee

held a public hearing in Philadelphia to receive testimony

relating to the Philadelphia criminal justice system; and 

WHEREAS, Witnesses told committee members that they would

welcome a forum that would include all stakeholders in which

they could discuss Philadelphia's criminal justice system with

the other stakeholders and develop solutions; and 

WHEREAS, The Joint State Government Commission has a history

of success in bringing together all stakeholders on a particular

issue and developing a consensus on how best to move forward in

resolving the issue; and 

WHEREAS, Study of the criminal justice system in Philadelphia

would not only benefit Philadelphia, but the lessons learned and

recommendations made could benefit the criminal justice systems

in counties throughout Pennsylvania; therefore be it              

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government

Commission to establish a criminal justice advisory committee to

study the issues raised by The Philadelphia Inquirer and any

other relevant issues regarding the criminal justice system in

Philadelphia and to develop solutions for the problems that are

identified; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the advisory committee be comprised of

approximately 30 members and include persons representing all

relevant aspects of and participants in the criminal justice

system in Philadelphia, including, but not limited to, law

enforcement, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, the

judiciary, crime victims and witnesses, probation and

corrections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the advisory committee may receive input from

academia, private and public organizations involved in criminal

justice issues, other criminal justice experts and the general

public; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the advisory committee make a report to the

Senate with recommendations no later than 18 months from the

date that this resolution is adopted.