NCJ Number
126640
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Information from 400 adults arrested on felony drug charges in the District of Columbia between April and June of 1988 formed the basis of this analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics and the disposition patterns for these individuals.
Abstract
The 400 cases were randomly selected, and the analysis focused on their movement through the criminal justice system. Findings showed that the typical arrestee was young, undereducated, and black. Most were residents of the District of Columbia. Fifty-six percent had at least one prior arrest, although more than 3 years had passed between the current and the prior arrest for 73 percent of the cases. Thirty-eight percent had three or more prior convictions. Sixteen percent of the current cases were dismissed due to lack of probable cause, 65 percent pleaded guilty at arraignment, and 6 percent requested jury trials. Eighty-three percent of the jury trial cases were found guilty. Approximately 44 percent of those arrested and initially charged for drug felony crimes were given incarcerative sentences. Thirty-four percent were placed on probation and were usually those with little or no prior conviction histories. Tables