NCJ Number
225827
Date Published
January 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a study conducted to examine pretrial rearrests for violent felony offenses in New York City.
Abstract
Highlights of study findings include: (1) 17 percent of sample defendants who were released pretrial were rearrested before disposition of their case; (2) one-tenth of those rearrested were charged with a violent felony offense at the time of their rearrest; (3) among rearrested defendants, those initially arrested for a violent felony offense were more likely, and those initially arrested for a drug offense were less likely, to be rearrested for a violent felony offense than defendants initially arrested on other types of charges; and (4) for defendants who were rearrested, the younger the defendant the higher the likelihood that the rearrest offense was a violent felony. This study suggests that when rearrested, defendants initially charged with a violent felony offense had a tendency to recommit the same type of offense. Taken together, these findings raise questions about devising release and detention policies based on consideration of public safety. Defendants rearrested for violent offenses present a serious threat to the safety of the community. The current law in New York State does not allow consideration of public safety in making pretrial release and detention decisions. Findings are presented from a study examining pretrial rearrests for violent felony offenses in a sample of defendants rearrested in New York City. 9 figures