A Time to Heal: on Crime

Gerald Ford: More mandatory sentencing; more focus on victims

I do not seek vindictive punishment of the criminal but protection of the innocent victim. The victims are my primary concern. I listed my specific proposals with this new emphasis. People convicted of violent crimes should have to go to jail. I urged the imposition of mandatory sentences for them and for "career "criminals as well. Second, I suggested less delay in bringing those arrested to trial, less plea bargaining and more courtroom determination of guilt or innocence.

[We should] amend the Federal code to make more sentences mandatory. We could also supply funds to add judges, prosecutors and public defenders.