NCJ Number
166576
Date Published
1996
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This report presents an analysis of sentences imposed on misdemeanor offenders in North Carolina under the State's Structured Sentencing during the first 6 months of 1995.
Abstract
Issues addressed in this monitoring report include the number of convictions by month, offense class and prior conviction level, demographic characteristics of offenders, types of punishments imposed and average minimum sentences, types of intermediate punishment imposed, and hours of community service imposed. During the reporting period, 57,772 misdemeanor offenders were convicted under Structured Sentencing. Offenders convicted of a Class 1 misdemeanor offense and classified in Prior Conviction Level I accounted for the greatest number of convictions. Demographic data show that approximately 81 percent of all misdemeanor offenders were male; more than half were under the age of 30; and approximately 49 percent were black and 42 percent were white. Approximately 15 percent of all misdemeanor offenders received active punishments; approximately 5 percent received intermediate punishments; and approximately 80 percent received community punishments. Active jail sentences were most often imposed on offenders convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanor offense and classified in Prior Conviction Level III. Property offenses accounted for the highest percentage of offenders who received an active punishment; drug offenses accounted for the lowest percentage of offenders who received an active punishment but accounted for the highest percentage of offenders who received a community punishment. Of all misdemeanor offenders who received community service, those convicted of a property offense were sentenced most often to community service. 19 tables, appended map of judicial divisions and districts, and descriptions of intermediate and community punishments