NCJ Number
112830
Journal
Sociology and Social Research Volume: 72 Issue: 3 Dated: (April 1988) Pages: 192-198
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Using PROMIS (Prosecutors Management Information System) data covering a wide range of jurisdictions, we examine in this paper a major conclusion of much of the current literature on rape: that rape cases receive more lenient dispositions in the arms of criminal law than other major felonies.
Abstract
The findings contradict this conclusion. We find: (a) that conviction rates for rape are similar to those of homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary; (b) that convicted rape offenders are as likely as convicted robbery offenders, but more likely than convicted aggravated and burglary offenders, to be sentenced to prison; (c) that those convicted of rape receive longer prison sentences than those convicted of robbery, aggravated assault, or burglary, but less than convicted homicide offenders. There is nothing in the conviction/sentencing outcomes to suggest that rape is responded to less vigorously, or less effectively, than other felony cases. Instead, (excepting homicide) it would be more accurate to conclude that justice officials deal more severely with rape cases than with other major felonies. (Author abstract)