NCJ Number
36549
Date Published
1976
Length
100 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT ASSESSES THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED BY THE NEW YORK COURTS IN CREATING A CREDIBLE DETERRENT TO DRUG OFFENSES OVER THE TWO YEAR PERIOD FOLLOWING ENACTMENT OF THE STATE'S STRICTER DRUG LAWS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1973.
Abstract
THE NEW STATUTES RECLASSIFIED MANY DRUG CRIMES AS HIGH DEGREE FELONIES, MADE PRISON SENTENCES MANDATORY UPON CONVICTION FOR MANY DRUG CRIMES, AND REINSTUTED RECIDIVIST SENTENCING PROVISIONS IN NEW YORK STATE. THIS REPORT IS CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATUTES DEALING WITH POSSESSION OR SALE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS. THE PROJECT STAFF CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATORS IN NEW YORK CITY AND SIX OTHER COUNTIES. DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH MEMBERS OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS' OFFICES RESPONSIBLE FOR PROSECUTION OF DRUG CASES, ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES, PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES, AND POLICE OFFICIALS. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LAWS WOULD HAVE BEEN JUDGED SUCCESSFUL IF THE RISK OF PUNISHMENT INCREASED TO MAKE THE DETERRENT POTENTIAL OF NEW LAWS MORE POWERFUL, THE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS SENTENCED INCREASED, AND THE SPEED OF PROCESSING CASES IMPROVED. IT WAS FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH NONE OF THESE KEY INDICATORS OF SUCCESS WERE EVIDENT, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL OFFENDERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE NEW LAWS.