IN MAY OF 1976, THE CITIZENS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN PRESENTED A SERIES OF SYMPOSIUMS ENTITLED 'THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND CRIME DETERRENCE,' FEATURING EXPERTS, A FILM, AND DISCUSSION. AS PART OF THE SESSION A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS FILLED OUT. RESPONSES OF THE 5004 PEOPLE WHO RETURNED THE QUESTIONNAIRE SHOWED THAT MOST PERSONS FELT STRONG ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO GET CRIMINALS OFF THE STREETS, BUT LONG-RANGE SOLUTIONS SUCH AS IMPROVED EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WERE SUGGESTED. FROM 82 TO 94 PERCENT FAVORED CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES FOR CRIMINALS CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE OFFENSES, MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN CRIMES (83 PERCENT FOR AMONG PERSONS UNDER 18 LIVING IN MINORITY AREAS OF DETROIT), AND DENIAL OF BAIL FOR THOSE ARRESTED FOR AN OFFENSE WHILE OUT ON BAIL ON PREVIOUS CHARGES. ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF ALL RESPONDENTS AND 60 PERCENT OF THOSE UNDER 18 FELT JUVENILES WHO COMMIT SERIOUS CRIMES SHOULD BE TRIED AS ADULTS. AN AVERAGE OF 71 PERCENT WOULD PAY INCREASED TAXES FOR POLICE, 57 PERCENT WOULD PAY INCREASED TAXES FOR PRISON, AND 46 PERCENT WOULD PAY INCREASED TAXES FOR JUDGES. ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THOSE FROM PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AREAS OF DETROIT FELT MORE JOBS AND BETTER EDUCATION WERE THE ONLY TRUE LONG-RANGE SOLUTIONS TO CRIME; THE LEAST AGREEMENT ON THIS ISSUE WAS 60 PERCENT AMONG MIDDLE-AGED WHITE MALES. LESS THAN HALF THE RESPONDENTS UNDER 18 BUT MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THOSE OVER 50 FELT PEOPLE WOULD NOT COMMIT CRIMES IF THEY KNEW THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING PUNISHED. SLIGHTLY MORE THAN HALF SAID THAT THE MAJOR GOAL OF CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE REHABILITATION, WHILE 47 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD PAY HIGHER TAXES FOR CRIMINAL REHABILITATION. ABOUT 60 PERCENT FAVORED LEGALIZATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN MICHIGAN. RESPONSES OF THOSE WHO SAID THEY HAD BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME WERE NO DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF NONVICTIMS, AND THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES AMONG EDUCATIONAL LEVELS. AGE PRODUCED THE GREATEST DIFFERENCES, WITH 53 PERCENT OF THOSE UNDER 18 AND 66 PERCENT OF THOSE OVER 50 FAVORING LEGALIZATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY. THIS QUESTION RECEIVED LOWEST SUPPORT (43 PERCENT) IN PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AREAS OF DETROIT. GENERALLY, YOUNGER PERSONS WITH LESS EDUCATION FELT MORE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS WHILE OLDER PERSONS FAVORED MORE SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELFARE ASSISTANCE RECEIVED THE LOWEST SUPPORT RATING, WITH 36 PERCENT AND 13 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY. (GLR)