Choice #1 Deterrent Strategy: Getting Tougher on Criminals (From Criminal Violence: What Direction Now for the War on Crime? P 8-12, 1992, Keith Melville and Betty Frecker, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 166123
• Author(s): K Melville; T Piazza
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Public Agenda
• Sale Source: Kendall/ Hunt Publishing Co; National Issues Forums
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Because serious crime is frequently committed because many people believe they can get away with it, the most promising solution may be to get tougher with all criminals and make it clear that violent acts will not be tolerated.

Abstract

Surveys indicate 8 in 10 Americans believe courts should deal more harshly with criminals. Advocates of this view insist the first priority should be to apprehend criminals quickly and make their punishment more certain and severe. Because 91 percent of all violent crimes do not result in arrest, a higher percentage of criminals should be caught and punished based on crime seriousness. Criminal court procedures should be changed to close legal loopholes such as plea bargaining, the insanity defense, and procedural rules that keep valuable evidence from being admitted. Harsher sentences should be imposed for serious crimes, and mandatory sentences should be more widely applied. Critics of tougher criminal justice system policies disagree about why people commit crimes and how offenders should be handled. They argue that pouring more resources into law enforcement and prison construction will not effectively deter criminals, but they recognize the need to imprison dangerous offenders. 3 figures and 1 photograph