NCJ Number
95344
Journal
Sociological Quarterly Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1984) Pages: 373-384
Date Published
1984
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The normative erosion hypothesis is that nonpunitive reactions by legal officials will erode offenders' normative evaluation of delinquency.
Abstract
Consistent with the hypothesis, survey data from Arizona high school students show that offenders who have been referred to a 'hands-off' court express less condemnation (i.e., have lower perceived seriousness) of delinquency than do offenders with no court referrals. The findings also show that the perceived threat of legal punishment is positively related to offenders' perceptions of the seriousness of delinquency. The findings bear on the normative validation thesis in the sociology of law and have important policy implications for juvenile justice practices. Tabular data and 37 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)