Structured Sentencing Monitoring System - Report for Felonies: July 1996 Through June 1997

• NCJ Number: 171938
• Author(s): D Meagher; K B Herrin
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 69 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Cmssn
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data were compiled on offenders convicted of felonies under structured sentencing in North Carolina during fiscal year 1996- 1997; information was obtained on the number of felony convictions by month, offense class and prior record level, demographic characteristics of offenders, type of punishment imposed, sentence conformity, and several special issues.

Abstract

During the year, 23,628 offenders were convicted of felonies under structured sentencing. The greatest number of offenders fell into Offense Class H with Prior Record Level I. About 86 percent of offenders were male, 43 percent were under 26 years of age, and 59 percent were black. Nearly 32 percent of offenders received an active punishment, 42 percent received an intermediate punishment, and 26 percent received a community punishment. Of four crime types (person, property, non-trafficking drug, and other offenses), those convicted of a person offense were most likely to receive an active punishment and least likely to receive an intermediate or a community punishment. Offenders convicted of a property offense were most likely to receive an intermediate punishment, while offenders convicted of a non-trafficking drug offense were most likely to receive a community punishment and least likely to receive an active punishment. Of all active sentences, 83 percent fell within the presumptive range, 9.6 percent fell within the mitigated range, and slightly more than 7 percent fell within the aggravated range. Of cases where a specific intermediate sanction was reported, the most sanctions were imposed for Class H offenses and special probation was the most frequently imposed sanction. Data also showed 15 death sentences and 47 life without parole sentences were imposed, drug trafficking convictions accounted for 1 percent of all felony convictions, 22 percent of offenders were ordered to perform community service, and 42 percent of offenders were ordered to pay restitution. Appendixes contain a map of North Carolina's judicial divisions and districts, demographic information, and supplemental offense and punishment data. 10 endnotes, 35 tables, and 11 figures