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Evaluating the Cook County Sentencing Guidelines - A Replication and Extension

NCJ Number
82808
Journal
Law and Policy Quarterly Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1982) Pages: 252-262
Author(s)
J D Hewitt; R M Regali; T R Clear
Date Published
1982
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article examines the empirical basis for current criminal sentencing guidelines being used in Cook County, Illinois.
Abstract
Unlike in many other sentencing reforms, guidelines have generally been developed out of an empirical analysis of past sentencing decisions through the identification of variables most predictive of sentence. However, when the statistical analysis is inadequate or faulty, the resultant sentencing guidelines must be questioned. Presented is a reanalysis of the original data used to develop Cook County's sentencing guidelines. Generally, the current sentencing guidelines used in Cook County are not found to be predictive of sentence. Implications of this finding are discussed. (Author abstract)

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