NCJ Number
48828
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
NORVAL MORRIS CALLS FOR THE REORDERING OF PRIORITIES AND THE REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES IN ORDER TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF SOCIETY.
Abstract
SENTENCING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY PROBLEM FACING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CRIME RATE HAS RISEN TO UNACCEPTABLY HIGH LEVELS. HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC EXPECTS TOO MUCH FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT CANNOT REMEDY SOCIAL PROBLEMS OR SOLVE RACIAL AND CRIMINAL PROBLEMS. DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS MAY REDUCE CRIME, AND SOMEDAY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MAY BE FUNCTIONING EFFICIENTLY AND FAIRLY. THE WELFARE SITUATION, DRUG CULTURE, AND USE OF HANDGUNS HAVE ALL HAD SOMTHING TO DO WITH HIGH CRIME RATES. IN ORDER TO REACH THE GOALS OF A GOOD CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ITS RESOURCES MUST BE ALLOCATED MORE INTELLIGENTLY AND ACCORDING TO THE PRIORITIES OF THE SYSTEM. ITS PRIME FUNCTION IS TO PROTECT PROPERTY FROM VIOLENCE AND CRIME. ACCORDING TO PROFESSOR MORRIS, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ILL-EQUIPPED -- IT CANNOT HANDLE A WIDE RANGE OF THREATS, POLICE POWER IS NOT DEPLOYED PROPERLY, POLICE AND CRIMINAL COURTS ARE NOT ABLE TO HANDLE LAW PROBLEMS, AND THE POLICE POWER MUST BE MADE MORE RESPONSIVE TO SOCIETY'S NEEDS. IF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE REMEDIED, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL BECOME A WELL-ORGANIZED FUNCTIONING SYSTEM. A PROPOSED CRIME CLASSIFIED IS DIVIDED INTO THREE TYPES: PREDATION, WHICH IS THE TRADITIONAL TYPE OF CRIME INVOLVING THE POLICE AND PRISONS; BUSINESS CRIMES, WHICH ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND INCLUDE JAIL SENTENCES FOR OFFENDERS; AND VICTIMLESS AND REGULATORY CRIMES, WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE THE POLICE OR JAILS. EACH TYPE OF CRIME SHOULD BE MAINTAINED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CORRESPONDING REGULATORY AGENCY. (BAC)