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Disposition of Criminal Charges in Cases Involving Violent Crime, Deadly Weapons, and Mandatory Sentence

NCJ Number
89251
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The criminal courts in Dade County, Fla., should establish sentencing councils in which judges would meet to discuss cases awaiting sentences to help trial judges in arriving at appropriate sentences and to provide more equitable sentencing.
Abstract
A total of 62 cases disposed of between November 1977 and January 1978 were reviewed. They all involved the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. The review focused on whether the defendants were charged with the possession of a firearm and were sentenced to the 3-year mandatory sentence provided by law when charged. A total of 27 defendants were charged with possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and 5 additional defendants were not charged under the statute. The prosecution abandoned the weapon possession charge during plea negotiations in 13 cases. A total of 27 defendants received sentences of 3 years or more, 22 received sentences of less than 3 years, and 13 were placed on probation. A synopsis of each case lists the judge, the prosecutor, the charge, the weapon, the facts, and the disposition. A table summarizing the cases for each judge is also supplied.