NCJ Number
18763
Journal
Social Science Quarterly Dated: (MARCH 1974) Pages: 713-724
Date Published
1974
Length
12 pages
Annotation
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE OBSTACLES TO OBTAINING RELIABLE AND VALID MEASURES OF THE OUTPUTS OF URBAN CRIMINAL COURTS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STATES THAT NATIONWIDE SUMMARIES OF THE CUMULATIVE OUTPUT OF LOCAL COURTS SUCH AS PRISON SENTENCES, FINES, PROBATION ACQUITTALS, AND NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS PROCESSED ARE NOT AVAILABLE. AMONG THE MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS DISCUSSED ARE LACK OF STANDARD DEFINITIONS OF TERMS SUCH AS CASE OR CONVICTION RATE; THE DIFFENENT BASES OF ANALYSIS, SUCH AS INDICTMENTS PROCESSED OR CASES PROCESSED; AND THE VARIABILITY OF SENTENCING PROCEDURES. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THE USE OF 'DEFENDANTS' AS THE STANDARDIZED UNIT OF ANALYSIS FOR COURT STATISTICS. HE ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT THE 'REAL' SENTENCE - THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE DEFENDANT IS LIKELY TO SPEND IN PRISON - BE USED IN MEASURING SENTENCE DATA. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT MANY OF THE COURTS' RECORD-KEEPING AND MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS LIE IN PART IN THE RELUCTANCE OF MANY COURT ORGANIZATIONS TO COMPILE INFORMATION POTENTIALLY DAMAGING TO THE ORGANIZATION OR ITS MEMBERS.