U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

SENTENCING COUNCILS - A STUDY OF SENTENCE DISPARITY AND ITS REDUCTION

NCJ Number
42565
Journal
University of Chicago Law Review Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1975) Pages: 109-149
Author(s)
S S DIAMOND; H ZEISEL
Date Published
1976
Length
41 pages
Annotation

THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SENTENCING DISPARITY ARE REVIEWED IN THIS ARTICLE, AND A METHOD OF MEASURING DISPARITY IS DEVELOPED AND TESTED.

Abstract

THE ARTICLE FIRST REVIEWS THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY SENTENCING DISPARITY AND RECOUNTS EARLIER EFFORTS TO STUDY THE PHENOMENON. IT THEN DEVELOPS A MEASURE OF DISPARITY AND USES IT TO ASSESS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM IN TWO FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS: THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS (CHICAGO) AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (BROOKLYN). FINALLY IT DESCRIBES THE OPERATION OF THE SENTENCING COUNCILS IN THESE TWO COURTS AND TRIES TO ASSESS THEIR ABILITY TO REDUCE DISPARITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...EB