NCJ Number
82039
Date Published
Unknown
Length
57 pages
Annotation
This report discusses Pima County's (Arizona) criminal justice system, implementation of the new criminal code and manadatory sentencing, Criminal Division statistics, and the County Attorney's office organization and personnel for 1979 and 1980.
Abstract
The two crime categories showing the greatest change in 1979-80 were burglary and aggravated assault. Violent crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) increased by 23 percent. For murder, the total number of defendants increased by 69 percent; for sexual assault, the number charged increased by 66 percent; and for robbery, the number charged increased by 19 percent, compared to the previous year. Implementation of the State's new criminal code, which is based on the concepts of deterrence and 'just deserts' or punishment, was begun. The law now specifies that every defendant who has a prior conviction or who commits a dangerous offense must receive a prison sentence. Furthermore, the more prior convictions or prior dangerous offenses, the longer the sentence that must be given and the higher the percentage of the sentence the defendant must serve before being released from confinement. The responsibilities and activities of the Attorney's Office Criminal Division, the Consumer Protection Economic Crime Division, the Civil Division, and the Community Service Division are discussed. A total of 19 tables are included. An organizational table and a personnel roster are provided.