NCJ Number
5388
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1971) Pages: 74-79
Date Published
1971
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINING PUNITIVE RESPONSE TO THE ADULT MARIHUANA LAW VIOLATOR EVEN THOUGH SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE A PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD.
Abstract
DATA REVEAL THAT ALTHOUGH A SERIOUS PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD ENHANCES A MARIHUANA LAW VIOLATOR'S CHANCES OF BEING CONVICTED AND SENT TO PRISON, THIS DISPOSITION ALTERNATIVE IS MARKEDLY LESS APT TO OCCUR IN RECENT YEARS THAN IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1960'S. MOREOVER, SINCE 1961 THE USE OF PROBATION HAS CONSISTENTLY INCREASED FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND, EXCEPT FOR MINOR VARIATIONS, SIMILAR INCREASES HAVE OCCURRED IN BOTH THE MINOR AND SERIOUS PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD CATEGORIES.