NCJ Number
45376
Journal
Journal of Political Economy Volume: 85 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 741-788
Date Published
1977
Length
48 pages
Annotation
CROSS-SECTIONAL DATA ON VIOLENT CRIMES ARE ANALYZED WITH A VIEW TO CORROBORATING THE FINDINGS OF AN EARLIER, TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS INDICATING A DETERRENT EFFECT FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Abstract
CROSS-STATE VARIATIONS IN MURDER AND RELATED CRIMES FOR 1940 AND 1950 ARE EXAMINED ECONOMETRICALLY. THE FINDINGS INDICATE A SUBSTANTIAL DETERRENT EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT ON MURDER AND RELATED VIOLENT CRIMES AND SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND ECONOMETRIC MODELS USED IN INVESTIGATIONS OF OTHER CRIMES. THE CROSS-SECTIONAL FINDINGS DISPUTE THE CHARGE THAT THE TIME-SERIES FINDINGS ON DETERRENCE ARE ARTIFACTS OF THE PERIOD EXAMINED (THE 1960'S) OR THE RESULT OF SUCH FACTORS AS THE VIETNAM WAR OR THE PROLIFERATION OF HANDGUNS. DATA ON DIFFERENCES IN OFFENSE RATES, CONVICTION RISKS, AND SANCTION LEVELS ACROSS STATES THAT IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY AND STATES THAT DO NOT ARE ANALYZED IN LIGHT OF A MODEL OF OPTIMAL DEMAND FOR PUBLIC LAW ENFORCEMENT. ANALYTICAL ISSUES PERTINENT TO THE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ARE DISCUSSED. TABULAR DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-LKM)