The number of cases heard by federal courts rose by 15 percent in 1998, said Chief Justice William Rehnquist. His latest report on the federal judiciary system criticized Congress for federalizing crimes that are already covered by State laws. According to Renquist, it appears that, as of late, Congress has acted on almost every sensational crime or social ill publicized by the news media.
"Rehnquist's report said the trend of federalizing crimes has contributed to a double-digit increase in the number of criminal cases in federal courts and 'threatens to change entirely the nature of our federal system.'" (Chief Justice Blames Congress For Rise In Federal Caseload, Laurie Asseo, Associated Press)
The country's top judge said that states should be left to try these crimes, that the federal court system was never created or designed to adjudicate local crimes.
"Matters that can be handled adequately by the states should be left to them," said Rehnquist.
The Judge cited several examples of crimes that the federal government has taken upon itself to try in federal courts. They are:
The Judge also stated that the U.S. Sentencing Commission has been vacant of members since last October because of a political impasse between President Clinton and the Senate. He stated that the commission "is unable to perform some of its core and crucial responsibilities. The President and the Senate should give this situation their immediate attention." (c)1998 Allan B. Colombo
