BRONX SENTENCING PROJECT OF THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE

• NCJ Number: 8965
• Author(s): J LIEBERMAN; A SCHAFFER
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 53 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-69-036
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXPERIMENT WITH SHORT-FORM PRESENTENCE REPORTS FOR ADULT MISDEMEANANTS CONDUCTED BY THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE IN THE BRONX CRIMINAL COURT.

Abstract

UNDER NEW YORK LAW A SENTENCE OF PROBATION OR CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE CAN BE PRONOUNCED ONLY IF THE JUDGE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE HISTORY, CHARACTER, AND CONDITION OF THE DEFENDANT. THIS STIPULATION REQUIRES PRE-SENTENCE REPORTS BY THE OFFICE OF PROBATION. HOWEVER, HEAVY CASELOADS AND THE TIME REQUIRED FOR PROBATION OFFICERS TO PREPARE FULL REPORTS RESULTED IN COURT REFERRAL OF LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF MISDEMEANOR CASES FOR PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION. PURPOSE OF THE SHORT FORM REPORT WAS TO INFORM THE COURT OF THE RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEFENDANT NECESSARY FOR MAKING SENTENCING DECISIONS PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, EMPLOYMENT, AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. AN INTERVIEW REPORT FORM WAS DEVISED TO COVER THE SIGNIFICANT DATA IN THESE THREE AREAS AND A WEIGHTED SCORING SYSTEM WAS DRAWN UP TO APPROXIMATE THE ACTUAL WEIGHT APPLIED TO THESE FACTORS IN PREVIOUSLY SENTENCED CASES. THE OPERATION OF THE PROJECT IS DESCRIBED AND THEORY, EXPERIENCE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF THE SHORT FORM PRESENTENCE REPORT ARE DISCUSSED. THE APPENDICES INCLUDE THE LETTERS, QUESTIONNAIRES, AND REPORT FORMS USED BY THE PROJECT. (SNI ABSTRACT)