NCJ Number
105484
Date Published
1987
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This study surveyed a randomly selected, cross-sectional sample of 2,551 Australians about appropriate sentences for each of 13 offenses.
Abstract
Overall, responses were in agreement with typical court sentencing decisions, including a tendency to punish violent offenders with imprisonment and property offenders with noncustodial sanctions. The majority viewed life imprisonment as suitable for murder and heroin trafficking. Respondents advocated more severe penalties than usually imposed for corporate offenses involving pollution and negligence-related worker injury. Imprisonment was the almost unanimous choice for armed robbery and was the most common choice for burglary and domestic assault. Heavy fines were advocated for white-collar crime, while warning was preferred for petty shoplifting. Almost 60 percent would impose no penalty for consenting adult homosexual activities. Less punitive sanctions were advocated by females, the better educated, and higher income groups. Additional variations were found as a function of age, rural/urban residence, and religious and political affiliation. 7 notes.