The sample included a randomly selected subset of all males prosecuted in Los Angeles County (Calif.) and Middlesex County (Mass.) for burglary, homicide, and robbery between 1984 and 1986. Data sources were official records, defendants' self-reports, and information from interviews and case review forms regarding prosecutors' discretionary judgments on sampled cases. The files gathered from official records contain information on current and past records of offenses committed, arrests, dispositions, sentences, parole and probation histories, substance abuse records, juvenile court appearances, criminal justice practitioners' assessments, and demographic characteristics. The data set also includes information on prosecutors' opinions on the seriousness of the defendant's case, subjective criteria used to decide suitability for prosecution, and other factors. The data set contains nine data files. (Author abstract modified)