NCJ Number
165852
Date Published
1996
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on offenders convicted of felonies under North Carolina's structured sentencing during calendar year 1995.
Abstract
The report summarizes topics such as the number of felony convictions by month, offense class and prior record level, demographic characteristics of offenders, types of punishments imposed, conformity of sentences, types of intermediate punishments imposed, and several special issues. A total of 15,071 offenders were convicted of felonies under structured sentencing during 1995. The greatest number of offenders were in Offense Classes H and I and into Prior Record Levels I and II. Data show that 88 percent of all offenders were male; 60 percent of offenders were under the age of 30, and approximately 64 percent of all offenders were African-American. Approximately 29 percent of all felony offenders received active punishments; about 46 percent received intermediate punishments; and approximately 25 percent received community punishment. Of four crime types -- person, property, drugs, and other -- offenders convicted of person offenses were most likely to receive active punishments and least likely to receive either intermediate or community punishments. Offenders convicted of drug (nontrafficking) offenses were most likely to receive community punishments and least likely to receive active punishment. Data show that 81 percent of all sentences were within the presumptive range; approximately 10 percent were within the aggravated range; and nearly 9 percent were within the mitigated range. Of those cases where an intermediate punishment was indicated in the database, the greatest number of intermediate punishments was imposed for Class H felonies; special probation was the most frequent intermediate punishment. 34 tables and 5 figures