SYMPOSIUM – Judicial Discretion: A Look Back and a Look Forward Five Years After Booker
Thursday, February 18, 2010
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (MST)
Sutherland Moot Courtroom
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
This symposium will explore issues surrounding judicial discretion and sentencing. After opening remarks from Judge William K. Sessions III, Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, panelists will explore the extent to which the sentencing guidelines continue to provide useful guidance to judges five years after the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker. The panelists will also explore mandatory minimum sentencing schemes and ask whether they usefully impose tough punishment or inappropriately restrict the ability of judges to make the punishment fit the crime.
The symposium will conclude with a general discussion of sentencing issues and provide an opportunity to audience members to ask questions of the participants.
Participants include:
William K. Sessions III, Chief District Court Judge, District of Vermont and Chair, U.S. Sentencing Commission (participating via video-link from the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, DC)
Paul Cassell, Ronald N. Boyce Presidential Professor of Criminal Law, S.J. Quinney College of Law
Benjamin McMurray, Adjunct Professor of Law, S.J. Quinney College and Utah Federal Defender’s Office, Salt Lake City
Douglas Berman, William B. Saxbe Designated Professor of Law, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (participating via video-link from the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, DC)
Steven L. Chanenson, Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law (participating via video-link from the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, DC)
Jonathan Wroblewski, Director of the Office of Policy and Legislation, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice (participating via video-link from the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, DC)
Erik Luna, Professor of Law, Washington and Lee School of Law (participating via video-link from the Federal Judicial Center, Washington, DC)
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Admission is free and open to the public but pre-registration is requested. Contact Miriam Lovin: miriam.lovin@law.utah.edu or 801-581-7356
Offered for 2.5 Hours CLE Credit (pending approval)
Free parking available at Rice-Eccles Stadium. No permit required.