ASHCROFT SAYS STIFFER SENTENCES COULD BENEFIT COURTS

NEW ORLEANS - More criminal suspects will cooperate
with the government if prosecutors drastically reduce the number of
plea bargains and instead pursue the toughest possible sentences, U.S.
Attorney General John Ashcroft said Thursday. "I do believe that by
charging tough crimes and (with) people facing tough sentences, they
become more likely" to cooperate, Ashcroft said in a brief interview
after addressing Louisiana local and federal law enforcement officers.

"If they cooperate, it reduces not only the burden on courts, but it
can help us prevent other crimes by breaking down ... the theft ring
or the drug ring or the apparatus of more organized criminal activity."

On Monday, Ashcroft instructed all 94 U.S. attorneys to pursue plea
bargains only in limited, specific circumstances. The toughest charges
should be pursued in virtually all cases, he said.

Legal experts have questioned the policy, saying some crimes carry
greater weight in certain parts of the country. Some said it will
restrict prosecutors' options, add to prison overcrowding problems and
force more defendants to face costly, time-consuming trials instead of
pleading guilty to lesser offenses.

Justice Department statistics show that more than 96 percent of all
federal cases are resolved without a trial, with the defendant
pleading guilty to the existing charge or to a lesser charge.

Ashcroft said Thursday that prosecutors are still allowed to reach
plea bargains when that would lead to solving or preventing other crimes.

Ashcroft also cited a University of Pennsylvania study that found 6
percent of people commit 52 percent of crimes. He said consistently
putting repeat offenders behind bars for the maximum sentences would
reduce the number of trials.

"If we can reduce the levels of crime by taking some people off the
street, that's going to have a beneficial impact on court dockets," he
said.

Ashcroft was in New Orleans as part of a three-city trip to recognize
the efforts of local law enforcement officers around the country. He
left soon after his speech for similar speeches in Nashville, Tenn.
and Charlotte, N.C.