NCJ Number
127659
Journal
Medicine, Science, and the Law Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1990) Pages: 263-270
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Over 100 magistrates in London responded to a 27-point attitudinal questionnaire regarding their positions on the seriousness of drug-related crimes, the degree of personal responsibility for statements made by offenders when intoxicated, the effectiveness of treatment programs, the value of sentencing options, and the validity of medical reports in judicial decision-making.
Abstract
While there was general agreement among the respondents regarding the severity of drug-related crimes, there were also considerable divergences in opinion. Three factors were attributed to two-thirds of the variance. The first factor, "seriousness," describes a strong relationship between the perception of the seriousness of the drug problem in general and the seriousness of the drug problem in general and the seriousness of drug-related crimes. Intervention, the second factor, was characterized by a positive attitude toward treatment and sentencing options and a reliance on medical reports submitted to the courts. The final factor, responsibility, was related to the belief that drug abusers should be held responsible for their actions, even when seemingly not serious. The findings indicate the need for a closer relationship between the courts and drug treatment agencies and the development of sentencing alternatives including conditional probation orders. 2 tables and 18 references (Author abstract modified)