The cities chosen for this study represent widely varying judicial philosophies. The study attempts to discover whether different formal legal attitudes have an impact on sentencing. Data come from a randomly selected set of cases acquired from one judge in each of the three cities. The results indicate that, as in the United States, extra-legal variables play a lesser role than legally relevant criteria in determining sentences. Contextual factors are also important as the models for explaining the variations in sentencing change from city to city. This research continues the line of investigation which points to the need for a more thorough sample of sentencing decisions so that generalizations about the relationship between ideology and courtroom behavior can be made across countries. International comparisons offer variables not present in comparisons of strictly American settings: traditional legal ideologies, plea bargaining procedures, courtroom atmosphere, the effect of community or cultural values, and defendants' nationality. Tables, notes, references