NCJ Number
45740
Date Published
1977
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THREE CRIMINALS, AN ARMED ROBBER, A FIRST-TIME BURGLAR AND A WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL, ARE FOLLOWED STEP-BY-STEP FROM ARREST THROUGH COMPLETION OF SENTENCE.
Abstract
TO ILLUSTRATE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS IN CONNECTICUT THIS WORKING PAPER, ORIGINALLY PREPARED FOR THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S COMMISSION TO STUDY ALTERNATE METHODS OF SENTENCING CRIMINALS, FOLLOWS THREE TYPICAL CASES IN DETAIL. CASE A TAKES A MALE ARRESTED FOR ROBBING A LIQUOR STORE WITH A HANDGUN FROM THE INITIAL CHARGE THROUGH 4 YEARS ON PAROLE. EACH DECISION POINT FROM BAIL VERSUS PRETRIAL DETENTION, THROUGH PLEA BARGAINING, SENTENCING, AND SENTENCE REVIEW IS DETAILED. APPLICABLE JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE FOOTNOTED. CASE B TAKES AN 18-YEAR-OLD FEMALE ARRESTED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON BREAKING AND ENTERING WITH A MALE ACCOMPLICE. SHE HAD BEEN ADDICTED TO HEROIN FOR NINE MONTHS AND ADMITTED TO THE BURGLARY TO GET MONEY FOR DRUGS. AGAIN, EACH DECISION POINT IS DETAILED BETWEEN CHARGE AND RELEASE ON PROBATION TO A DRUG THERAPY GROUP, INCLUDING ACTION TAKEN WHEN SHE MISSES SEVERAL MEETINGS OF THE GROUP. CASE C IS THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER AND MANAGING OFFICER OF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WHO STEALS $15,000 FROM HIS FIRM BY FABRICATING NONEXISTENT BILLS FOR UNRENDERED SERVICES. THE CASE IS FOLLOWED FROM CHARGE THROUGH SUSPENDED SENTENCE WITH ORDER TO MAKE RESTITUTION AND TO PAY A $30,000 FINE. REASONS WHY A FINE INSTEAD OF A PRISON TERM ARE USED FOR SUCH CRIMES IS EXPLAINED. RESTITUTION IS POSSIBLE FOR THE COMPANY UNDER A FINE SYSTEM, WITH PRISON AS AN ALTERNATIVE IN CASE RESTITUTION IS NOT MADE. AGAIN, APPLICABLE STATUTES AND JUDICIALS DECISION ARE FOOTNOTED. (GLR)