NCJ Number
93416
Date Published
1984
Length
59 pages
Annotation
The accountability and effectiveness of the Cook County, Ill. criminal justice system can be improved by complete and accurate recordkeeping, thorough documentation of final prosecutorial decisions, and better use of existing laws in sentencing decisions.
Abstract
Case files of 845 defendants charged with armed robbery during the first half of 1981 formed the basis of an examination of the relative merits of arguments for more and harsher laws and arguments for better enforcement of existing law. Over half of the 272 sample defendants charged with armed robbery at felony review were not convicted of this offense, because of acquittal, reduction of charges, or leaving the criminal justice system completely. Defendants convicted by juries received long sentences, even though defendants who appeared before the bench were more likely to have had prior felony convictions. The type of weapon used to perpetrate an armed robbery did not affect the sentencing decision. Major problems with the system are a wholly inadequate method for maintaining criminal records, the need for a plan to monitor the discretionary decisions made by the prosecution, and sentencing which is based on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. Footnotes, figures, and appendixes presenting Illinois statutory provisions on robbery, formed, and a list of reasons for felony rejection are supplied.