54 Stat. 688 Rules of Procedure in criminal cases1940—Congress authorizes the Supreme Court to create rules for pre-conviction practice and procedure in criminal cases. By act of June 29, 1940, ch. 445, 54 Stat. 688 (subsequently 18 United States Code, § 3771), the Supreme Court was authorized to prescribe general rules of criminal procedure prior to and including verdict, finding of guilty or not guilty by the court, or plea of guilty, in criminal proceedings. The rules, and subsequent amendments, were not to take effect until (1) they had been first reported to Congress by the Attorney General at the beginning of a regular session and (2) after the close of that session.
