A model is presented to describe sentencing proclivities of the criminal justice system. The model hypothesizes that the defendant's sentence is a function of three elements: the crime committed, the person who committed the crime, and the organizational needs of the criminal justice system. The main hypothesis of this research is that the greater the amount of scarce organizational resources needed to convict a defendant. Data for the model came from observations, interviews, and analysis of official records in five court locations, including heavy-volume and low-volume courts, and urban and rural courts. An interval-level dependent variable was constructed to analyze the data. Correlation matrices are presented for the independent variables for each of the three elements in each court. A multiple least-squares regression is employed to explain severity of sentence disposition. This methodological procedure is used to analyze the act, the accused, and the organization in all five courts. The act as charged, and the accused, are both found to be important for describing sentence severity. However, the needs of the court organization outweigh the other two elements in predictive power. This is demonstrated in an examination of each theoretical element by itself and in an examination of all three together. In each court, the most explanatory variables are organization related. Thus, each court must be analyzed separately. Findings indicate that policy changes should be implemented court by court rather than on a national, regional, or statewide basis. Tables, figures, and chapter notes are included. A bibliography lists approximately 135 references. A chart of felony case coding is appended. (Author abstract modified)