NCJ Number
79852
Date Published
1981
Length
88 pages
Annotation
The extent to which community service sentencing is used for traffic offenders was examined by means of a literature review and the collection of data on current community service sentencing projects.
Abstract
The project's goal was to develop preliminary data about the relationship between community service sentencing, traffic offenders, and highway safety. Community service sentencing means that an offender is required to perform unpaid service for a governmental or nonprofit organization as punishment for a traffic offense. Traffic offenders were grouped into two categories: those committing serious offenses such as drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and vehicular homicide, and those committing any other moving violations. Traffic offenders were found to regularly participate in community service sentencing projects, although most traffic offenders are not sentenced to community service. Those who are sentenced to such service are likely to complete the service requirements, which usually consist of unskilled labor. The judges surveyed do not strongly support community service for traffic offenders, although they believe it to be useful when a fine or jail sentence is inappropriate. Community service provides an alternative which can be administered with modest costs and by agencies outside the criminal justice system. However, such public policy issues as the fairness of community service for traffic offenders should be addressed. Tables, bibliographies for each section of the report, and data collection instruments are provided.