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DECISION-MAKING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - REVIEWS AND ESSAYS

NCJ Number
31371
Editor(s)
D M GOTTFREDSON
Date Published
1975
Length
143 pages
Annotation
IN A SERIES OF EIGHT ESSAYS, THIS DOCUMENT PRESENTS AND ANALYZES THE BASIC NATURE OF DECISION-MAKING FOR EACH JUNCTURE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS: POLICE, PROSECUTION, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
WRITING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE OFTEN CONFLICTING GOALS TOWARD WHICH DECISION-MAKING IS DIRECTED, THE AUTHORS GO BEYOND AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROCESSES AND PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROCEDURES AND TYPES OF INFORMATION WHICH INFLUENCE DECISIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM. THE AUTHORS CONSIDER EACH OF THESE AS WELL AS THE OFTEN CONFLICTING SOCIETAL DEMANDS FOR RETRIBUTION, PUNISHMENT, DETERRENCE, REHABILITATION, AND REINTEGRATION, AND THE IMPACT OF ALL THESE ON DECISION-MAKING. THE CONCEPTS OF DIAGNOSIS, CLASSIFICATION, AND PREDICTION ARE FIRST EXAMINED, AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISIONS IS EXPLORED. DECISION-MAKING IS DISCUSSED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH COMMON ISSUES AS DELINQUENCY, DETENTION, JUVENILE PROBATION, PRETRIAL RELEASE, PREVENTIVE DETENTION, AND COMPETENCY. PATTERNS OF POLICE DECISION-MAKING ARE STUDIED AS WELL. SEVERAL PERSPECTIVES ON COURT DECISIONMAKING SUCH AS SENTENCING AND PROSECUTION DECISIONS ARE PRESENTED. ALSO DISCUSSED IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF MODERN DECISION THEORY TO CORRECTIONAL DECISION-MAKING, AND RESEARCH NEEDS IN DECISION STUDY. (SNI ABSTRACT)