TESTIMONY | 2009 Hearing - Overcriminalized

2009 Hearing

On July 22, 2009, the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on the Overcriminalization of Conduct and the Overfederalization of Criminal Law. This hearing, the first in Congress focusing directly on overcriminalization, brought together participants in the overcriminalization coalition, Members of Congress from both parties, academic experts on the issue, and victims of overcriminalization.

Chairman Bobby Scott (D-MD) and Ranking Member Louie Gohmert (R-TX), who worked together to organize the hearing, were active participants throughout, delivering strong opening statements and asking many insightful questions.

This page collects the testimony and statements offered at the hearing, as well as some background materials. Click here to watch hearing.

Opening Statements

Chairman Bobby Scott

Ranking Member Louie Gohmert

Testimony

Richard Thornburgh, Former U.S. Attorney General: "Overcriminalization and the Need for Legislative Reform"

Timothy Lynch, The Cato Institute: "The Overcriminalization of Conduct: Four Key Reforms"

Stephen Saltzburg, George Washington University School of Law: "Overcriminalization and Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws"

James Strazzella, Temple University Beasley School of Law: "The Increasing Overlap of Federal and State Criminal Law"

Victim Testimony

Krister Evertson, Inventor: "Overcriminalization: Consequences for an American Inventor"

Kathy Norris: "Overcriminalization: Consequences for One American Family"

Media and Background

Andrew Grossman, The Heritage Foundation: "The Unlikely Orchid Smuggler"

Brian Walsh, The Heritage Foundation: "You're (Probably) a Federal Criminal"

Editorial, The Washington Times: "Innocent Criminals"