Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-02
House Group Studies
FIGURES in Sentences
Given 10 Area FeIons

Members of the House Judi
ciary Committee today were
studying figures showing that
District felons have been re-
ceivlng heavier sentences than
their counterparts in Maryland
and Virginia.
The statistics indicated sitter
sentences here for all major
crimes-excluding robbery-than
are imposed in either of the
neighboring States. Virginia's
sentences for robbery averaged
80 years more than the Dis
trict's.
Indeed, District terms were
heavier than the national av-
erage of sentences imposed by
the Sc United States District
Courts. excluding the District
Of Columbia, for virtually all
major crimes except robbery.
Figures Requested
The statistics covered the fiscal
year ended last June 80 for the
District, and the last six months
of that fiscal year for Mary
land and Virginia State courts.
Also included in a second table
were figures for the Federal
courts in Maryland and Virginia
and the national coverage Of the
Sc United States district courts
outside Washington They were
sent by messenger from Chief
Judge Bolitha j. Laws Of the
U. S District Court for the Dis
trict Of Columbia to Representa-
tive Lane, Democrat, of Massa-
chusetts. who requested them.
Mr.. Lane is chairman of a
House judiciary subcommittee
holding hearings on proposals to
provide a public defender" for
INDECENT persons in trouble with
the law.
Judge Laws had appeared as a
witness on Wednesday. At that
time. Representative Forester,
Democrat, of Georgia. remarked
that he understood rape sem
fences in the District averaged
only two years.
Yesterdays figures showed
that the average sentence for
rape here for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1854. was 11.3
years. This was contrasted with
81 years in Virginia State courts
and SO years in Maryland.
Under District law, both q
minimum and a maximum SEN
tence must be imposed for any
felony. The minimum sentence
may not be more than one-third
of the maximum, but it may be
less than one-third.
Eligible for Parole
Thus, most sentences would
run, for example. 3 to 8 years
or II years. A prisoner becomes
eligible for parole upon COM
pletion of the minimum sentence.
But whether or not he gets 1t is
UP to parole authorities.
Judge Laws figures were
based on the maximum SEN
fences, which are the actual SEN
fences. The minimums merely
hold out hope to the prisoner for
an earlier release.
The two nearby States impose
nat sentences set by the judge
who is guided by prescribed min
imum and maximums. Parole
systems are in effect in those
States also.
The statistics showed robbery
sentences in the District aver
aged 9.6 years; in Virginia. 1873
years, and in Maryland, rs years.
The national average in United
States District Courts was 1l.2
years.
The average sentence for muir
der. where the death sentence
was not mandatory, was 28.5
years in the District, 1913 years
in Virginia and ia years in
Maryland. No figures were avail
able for other United States
courts as to murder sentences.
The statistics also showed the
following average sentences in
State courts:
Manslsughter - District. 90
years: Virginia. 80 years; Mary
land. ~ years.
Are,,stf r1tetrirf IA xr,nro.