NCJ Number
158253
Journal
Sociological Spectrum Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1995) Pages: 463-471
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Because judges are increasingly targeted for violence by individuals involved in criminal trial proceedings and this phenomenon is relatively unstudied by social scientists, the current study assessed the nature and extent of victimization suffered by trial court judges pursuant to their activities on the bench.
Abstract
Five types of victimization were examined: (1) verbal abuse and face-to-face threats of physical harm; (2) mail and telephone harassment; (3) physical assaults on the judge and his or her family; (4) theft and vandalism to personal property; and (5) general fear of victimization resulting from the job. The survey instrument contained Likert-saled victimization measures which allowed judges to report actual victimization and perceptual data. Significant levels of each type of victimization were observed among a sample of State criminal court judges. Most judges believed in the potential for harm to their family members, although actual harm to the person or family was reported by only a few judges. Victimization related to property crime and harassment, however, was substantial. Most judges received threatening mail and telephone calls at home, and 3 of every 10 judges claimed property damage. Causal speculation concerning violence targeting judges and victimization reduction strategies are discussed. 15 references