Urgent Request for Faith Leaders

URGENT REQUEST!!!


Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, members of Congress have recently introduced a bill known as the "Streamlined Procedures Act" (S.1088). This bill, if passed, will profoundly change the criminal appeals process and effectively eliminate habeas corpus review for both capital and non-capital defendants. This bill will have an especially devastating effect on California death penalty cases. For more info: http://www.nacdl.org/savethewrit

We are working in coalition with many national and state groups to stop this bill. The coalition has recruited many former judges, prosecutors and even the Conference of Chief Justices to write or sign letters opposing this bill.

Now we are turning to the faith community for their help in stopping this disastrous measure.

We would like to find faith leaders - from all denominations - to sign the signatory letter below. Please pass this letter onto as many Bishops, Rabbis, Clerics, Priests, and faith leaders that you can.

Please instruct them to respond ASAP to stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org or Tel. 415-243-0143 or Fax 415-243-0994 and tell them to include the following information:

Name
Official Title
Denominational information
Place of Worship or Affiliation (For identification purposes only)
City, State
Phone or Email


This bill will be heard tomorrow, September 8th!!

We need as many people to sign this letter as possible by 5pm Today, Wednesday September 7th!

Thank you for your assistance!

Peace,
Stefanie

*************************************************

September 8, 2005

Re: The Streamlined Procedures Act (S. 1088 & H.R. 3035)

Dear Senators and Representatives:

We are writing to you as leaders from various faith traditions to express our opposition to S. 1088 and H.R. 3035, the “Streamlined Procedures Act” (SPA) relating to federal petitions for writs of habeas corpus. We understand that the Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amendment to S. 1088. The concerns we express in this letter apply to that amendment as well.

We approach political and social issues from diverse perspectives. We have differing views on issues relating to crime and punishment. We are united, however, in our belief that the American system of justice must be characterized by an unfailing commitment to fairness, justice and the pursuit of the truth.

We understand that many learned persons from the legal profession, including a number of current and former prosecutors and judges, are publicly opposing the bills before you. Our concerns are primarily based on the moral and ethical implications of adopting such legislation at this point in time.

Legislation that strips the federal courts of the jurisdiction to inquire into the constitutionality of prison and death sentences threaten our nation’s stature in the world and public confidence in our system of justice at home. We believe that our country’s law enforcement officers are honorable, hard-working and devoted public servants. We are, however, aware of cases in which prosecutorial misconduct and grossly ineffective assistances of counsel have led to wrongful convictions and sentences. This bill creates procedural hurdles solely to prevent courts from hearing these types of claims. From a moral and ethical perspective, this is unacceptable.

The Conference of State Chief Justices also recently passed a resolution opposing this bill. When the highest judicial officials from almost every state join together to oppose a single piece of legislation, it sends a strong message that must not be ignored. As people of faith, we cannot remain silent when prominent legal minds warn that important legal safeguards are being threatened. During the past few years, there have been many cases in which innocent people have been sentenced to prison, or even death. In some cases it took years for the evidence demonstrating their innocence to come to light. To shut the courthouse door on individuals raising these claims would violate the most basic tenets of justice and fundamental morality.

Having listened to the opinions of the state chief justices, numerous other state and federal judges and many former prosecutors, we are convinced that the moral hazards in this matter are grave indeed. In a just and decent society, in which all human dignity must be protected, the government cannot sacrifice wrongly convicted and sentenced individuals for purposes of alleged efficiency or political expediency.

As a matter of principle and justice, we urge you to reject the Streamlined Procedures Act.


Sincerely,

*************************************

Stefanie L. Faucher
Program Director

Death Penalty Focus
870 Market St. Ste. 859
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel. 415-243-0143
Fax 415-243-0994
stefanie [at] deathpenalty.org
http://www.deathpenalty.org
http://www.californiamoratorium.org