NCJ Number
166571
Date Published
1996
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on offenders convicted of felonies under North Carolina's structured sentencing during the first 6 months of 1995.
Abstract
Topics addressed by the data include the number of felony convictions by month, offense class and prior record level, demographic characteristics of offenders, types of punishment imposed, conformity of sentences, types of intermediate punishments imposed, and several special issues. Data show that 5,254 offenders were convicted of felonies under structured sentencing during the first 6 months of 1995. The greatest number of convictions were in offense classes H and I and in prior record levels I and II. Demographic characteristics show that 88 percent of all offenders were male; 61 percent were under the age of 30; and approximately 63 percent were black, and 33 percent were white. Overall, approximately 32 percent of all offenders received active punishments; approximately 46 percent received intermediate punishments; and approximately 22 percent received community punishments. In addition, all offenders in offense class A through D received an active punishment. Crimes of violence were most likely to receive active sentences, and property crimes and public order crimes were least likely to receive active sentences. Data show that 81 percent of all active sentences were within the presumptive range; more than 11 percent were within the aggravated range; and approximately 8 percent were within the mitigated range. Of those cases reporting, the greatest number of intermediate punishments were imposed for class H felonies; the most frequently invoked intermediate punishment was special probation, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of all sentences. Data for several special issues indicate that felons who received habitual felon status composed less than 1.5 percent of all sentences. 28 tables and appended profiles of intermediate and community punishments