EFFECTS OF VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DISPOSITION OF VIOLENT CRIMES

• NCJ Number: 34433
• Author(s): K M WILLIAMS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 55 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-NI-99-0008-G
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: INSLAW
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF THE VICTIM'S CHARACTERISTICS ON DECISION MADE BY THE PROSECUTOR, JUDGE, AND JURY CONCERNING CASES AGAINST DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Abstract

USING DATA SUPPLIED BY THE PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (PROMIS), FOUR MAJOR HYPOTHESES WERE TESTED. THESE HYPOTHESES WERE THAT VICTIMS PERCEIVED AS SHARING MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CRIME ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THEIR CASES RESULT IN CONVICTION; THE CLOSER THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VICTIM AND THE DEFENDANT, THE LESS LIKELY THE CASE WILL RESULT IN CONVICTION; AND TWO OTHERS RELATING TO WHETHER THE VICTIM WAS EMPLOYED, AND THE COOPERATION OF THE WITNESS WITH THE PROSECUTOR. THE GENERAL HYPOTHESIS OF THIS STUDY WAS CONFIRMED: VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS DO AFFECT THE CASE PROCESSING DECISIONS MADE IN CASES OF VIOLENT CRIME. VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS AFFECT THE PROSECUTOR'S DECISIONS AT SCREENING AND LATER IN THE CASE. HOWEVER, THE DECISION OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT WAS GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY AT TRIAL DID NOT APPEAR TO BE INFLUENCED BY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)