RESEARCH PRIORITIES IN SENTENCING

• NCJ Number: 34329
• Author(s): J C RUHNKA
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 80 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-TA-99-0006
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for State Courts
• Sale Source: National Ctr for State Courts
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE OF RESEARCHERS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS, HELD DECEMBER 7-8, 1973, AT THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Abstract

THIS CONFERENCE, SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS, FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING AREAS FOR RESEARCH WHICH WOULD MEET THE EXPRESSED NEEDS OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SENTENCING PROCESS. (SENTENCING JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE LAWYERS, AND CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL). THIS REPORT CONTAINS SUMMARIES OF THE STATEMENTS OF 16 CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS AS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN AND WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS AND QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS IN THE SENTENCING AREA. THE TEN RESEARCH TOPICS IDENTIFIED AS THE MOST IMPORTANT WERE AS FOLLOWS: ANALYSIS OF THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF PRESENTENCE REPORTS; DEVELOPMENT OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES; 'RATIONALIZING' THE SENTENCING DECISIONS; DIVERSION PROGRAMS; MAKING AVERAGE AND MEDIAN SENTENCING STATISTICS AVAILABLE TO SENTENCING JUDGES TO REDUCE SENTENCE DISPARITIES; SENTENCE DISPARITIES AND REMEDIES; APPELLATE REVIEW OF SENTENCE; THE IMPACT OF 'SENTENCE BARGAINING' ON THE ROLE OF THE SENTENCING JUDGE; BETTER INFORMATION ABOUT SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES; AND TRAINING IN SENTENCING AND SENTENCING PANELS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH IN THESE AREAS AND FOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS ARE INCLUDED. THE CONFERENCE AGENDA AND A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE APPENDIX.