NCJ Number
39968
Journal
Journal of Legal Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1975) Pages: 327-349
Date Published
1975
Length
23 pages
Annotation
AN ECONOMETRIC STUDY WHICH INVESTIGATES THE DETERRENT EFFECTS OF LIKELIHOOD OF CONVICTION AND SEVERITY OF SENTENCE ON FELONY CRIME RATES, AND EVALUATES THE IMPACT OF INCREASED POLICE MANPOWER ON CONVICTION RATES.
Abstract
THE DATA EMPLOYED ARE FOR CALIFORNIA COUNTIES IN 1966. THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE BY COUNTY ON CONVICTIONS AND COMMITMENTS IS FOR FELONY CRIME AS A WHOLE. THE ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONVICTION AND THE SEVERITY OF SENTENCE SIGNIFICANTLY DETER CRIME, AND THAT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONVICTION, HOLDING THE OFFENSE RATE CONSTANT. IN ADDITION, STRONG EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT THE DEMAND OF COMMUNITIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IS IN RESPONSE TO MINIMIZING THE COSTS OF CRIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC