NCJ Number
32998
Date Published
1975
Length
221 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF STATE LEGISLATORS UNDERTAKEN BY THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS TO RESEARCH LEGISLATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURES IN THE OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THIS SURVEY SOUGHT TO DETERMINE THE PERCEPTIONS OF STATE LEGISLATORS ON KEY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES. THE QUESTIONNAIRE CONSISTED OF TWO PARTS: THE FIRST SECTION CONSISTED OF SIX ITEMS DESIGNED TO DESCRIBE THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONDENTS, WHILE THE SECOND SECTION CONTAINED THIRTY-FIVE MULTIPLE CHOICE ITEMS DESIGNED TO ELICIT REACTIONS TOWARD CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN THE FIELD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. AMONG THE ISSUES COVERED WERE VICTIM COMPENSATION; THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS; STATUTORY PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES ON STATUS OFFENSES, VICTIMLESS CRIMES, AND DRUG ABUSE; CRIME DETERRENCE; POLICE FUNCTIONS; OFFENDER RECORDS; PLEA BARGAINING; JUDICIAL SENTENCING, SELECTION, AND REVIEW; CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHY; INMATE RIGHTS; AND REHABILITATION. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DISTRIBUTED AT EACH OF THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCES HELD ANNUALLY IN FOUR REGIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS. METHODS USED FOR ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES ARE OUTLINED. IT WAS FOUND THAT STATE LEGISLATORS WERE LEAST RECEPTIVE TO SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO THE DELETION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES FROM THE CRIMINAL CODES. THEY FAVORED REGIONAL PROSECUTION AND THE REDUCTION OF SENTENCE DISPARITIES, BUT WERE NOT GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF OTHER MAJOR CHANGES IN THE AREAS OF COURTS AND PROSECUTION. A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATORS FAVORED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO PREVENTION, ASSISTANCE, SECURITY, AND PRIVACY. RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO CORRECTIONS AND PAROLE RECEIVED THE GREATEST ACCEPTANCE, INDICATING THAT STATE LEGISLATORS SUPPORT THE REHABILITATION MODEL AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.