NCJ Number
92608
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1983) Pages: 15-20
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Despite the large quantity of research on the criminal sentencing process, there is little agreement on how the process actually works. Using the major explanatory variables of prior research, this study adds the effects of juvenile records upon adult sentences.
Abstract
Using data from official Georgia prison records and juvenile detention data, the study finds that blacks with a prior juvenile record received a much harsher punishment than whites with the same offense charge and similar background characteristics. This finding supports the conflict perspective on sentencing which suggests that extra-legal factors have an important bearing on sentencing decisions. (Author abstract)