The influence of categorical knowledge (e.g., stereotypes) on decisions is addressed. There is an investigation into how police may influence victims' decision to prosecute, how prevailing stereotypes about sex abuse in day-care centers affect the handling of such cases, and how ethnic stereotypes and stereotypes about rape victims affect information processing and individual juror's decisions. The different types of organized prior knowledge are reviewed. Laypersons' and professional beliefs about crime and appropriate punishment, the question of whether probation officers and laypersons use different information in forming their impressions of judicial sentencing, how individuals decide to comply with the law, and how decision makers think are concepts that are examined. An array of methodologies, statistical techniques, and disciplinary perspectives to address decision-making in criminal justice settings are highlighted. References and tables.