NCJ Number
85723
Date Published
1977
Length
90 pages
Annotation
Based on a sample of southern California felony arrests, on all California Superior Court dispositions in 1973, and on additional data, the study found that for all felony arrests combined, 35 percent had no prior adult record.
Abstract
A total of 7 percent had prison records, and the remaining 58 percent were divided equally between those with major and minor records. Only 40 percent of felony arrest dispositions resulted in conviction. Prior record had little effect on the likelihood of eventual conviction, but clearly affected the resulting sentence. A comparison of the dispositions of serious robbery cases in Los Angeles County with similar cases in San Diego found that San Diego was more succesful in achieving convictions and prison commitments for these offenses. A mathematical model used to estimate the effect of alternative sentencing policies on the crime rate suggests that under the current sentencing policy for robbery and burglary, the crime rates are, respectively, 41 percent and 25 percent lower than what they would be if no offenders were ever confined. Study findings demonstrate the extremely high cost associated with crime reduction achieved through incapacitation alone. Findings also suggest that the system needs to improve the conviction rate for serious offenders (assuming that many of the arrests that do not result in conviction are justified). Tables; diagrams; footnotes; appended flow diagrams; and an analysis of the statutory, prosecutorial, and sentencing treatment of robbery in California are included. (Author summary modified)