Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8124, the Criminal Judicial Administration Act of 2020 is a bipartisan piece of legislation that makes two very modest but important amendments to current law, promoting the efficient, effective, and fair administration of justice. The first part of this bill concerns out-of-custody criminal defendants, particularly those who are released pending trial to live in communities that are located far from the courthouse where their cases are being heard. The majority of Federal criminal defendants are detained pending trial, and the United States Marshals Service is responsible for housing and transporting them to court hearings, including trial. In addition, under current law, the court may order the U.S. marshals to provide funds for a criminal defendant who is released pending trial but cannot afford the cost of travel to cover the defendant's travel to the location of the courthouse for hearings or trial. However, the defendant must fund their own way back home, and a defendant in this position would not be able to receive financial support from the U.S. marshals for subsistence, such as lodging and meals. For an indigent defendant, these costs are sometimes insurmountable.…”