United States Sentencing Commission Appoints James R. Marsh to the Victims Advisory Group
Earlier today, the United States Sentencing Commission appointed James R. Marsh as a member of the Victims Advisory Group (VAG) to a term ending December 1, 2015.
The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch of government. Its principal purposes are to:
- establish sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts, including guidelines to be consulted regarding the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of federal crimes;
- advise and assist Congress and the executive branch in the development of effective and efficient crime policy; and
- collect, analyze, research, and distribute a broad array of information on federal crime and sentencing issues, serving as an information resource for Congress, the executive branch, the courts, criminal justice practitioners, the academic community, and the public.
The Victims Advisory Group is a standing advisory group to the Commission. The purpose of the VAG is to:
- assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. § 994(o);
- provide to the Commission its views on the Commission’s activities and work, including proposed priorities and amendments, as they relate to victims of crime;
- disseminate information regarding sentencing issues to organizations represented on the VAG and to other victims of crime and victims advocacy groups, as appropriate; and
- to perform any other functions related to victims of crime as the Commission requests.
Marsh declared, “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to continuing my work on behalf of child crime victims in the federal courts.”