SENTENCING DECISIONS

I.          Sentence imposed - a product of the actions of the courtroom workgroup

            A.        Members

                        1.         Probation officer

                                      a.       Makes pre-sentence investigation and report for judge

                                      b.       May recommend a sentence

                        2.         Prosecutors

a.       May engage in plea bargaining to shape or determine the sentence

b.       In some courts, prosecutors may not make recommendations

                        3.         Defense attorneys

                                      a.       Entire strategy depends heavily on potential sentence

                                      b.       Less influential than prosecutor

                        4.         Judges

                                      a.       Has final authority

                                      b.       Influenced by work group norms

            B.        Normal crimes and penalties

1.         Most cases involve familiar patterns and concepts of normal or average sentences emerge

                        2.         Two most important factors in sentencing are:

                                      a.       Seriousness of offense

                                      b.       Prior record

II.        Disparity and discrimination in sentencing - frequent criticism

A.                 Discrimination refers to systematic bias against certain group based on unlawful factors

1.                  Some research shows discrimination based on race, ethnicity etc; other research does not

2.                  Discrimination against the poor may stem from legitimate indicators of social stability (e.g., steady employment)

3.                  Female offenders

a.                  Female prison population growing faster than male population

b.                  Increase in prison mainly attributable to war on drugs

4.                  Racial discrimination

a.                  Research inconsistent

b.                  In McCleskey v. Kemp (1987) Supreme Court rejected statistical evidence of racial bias in death penalty

B.                 Disparity refers to inconsistencies in sentencing

1.                  There is disparity between states because of state law

2.                  Judicial backgrounds and attitudes contribute to disparity

III.       Sentencing structures have changed in recent years to increase sentences and reduce judicial discretion

A.                 Liberals and conservatives criticized practices that result in discrimination and excessive leniency

B.                 Many jurisdictions eliminated indeterminate sentencing (gave power of release to parole boards)

C.                 Many jurisdictions have moved to determinate (fixed) sentencing (abolition or reduction of parole)

D.                Sentencing guidelines have resulted in longer sentences and swelling prison populations

E.                 Sentencing guidelines attempt to control judicial discretion

1.         Two types of guidelines:

              a.         Recommended guidelines are not   mandatory

  b.         Mandatory guidelines must be followed by judges

(Voluntary guidelines have had little impact, mandatory guidelines result in more severe sentences)

IV.       Another trend is to increase the severity of sentences by a number of legal changes

A.     Mandatory minimum sentence laws require that at least the minimum amount of incarceration be imposed

1.   Discretion by criminal justice officials allows sentencing laws to be ignored

2.   Judges dislike limits on their discretion

B.  Three strikes laws provide life sentences for persons with prior felony convictions

V.        Many criticize the trend toward increasing punishments

A.        Defendants may demand trials to avoid harsher punishments from sentencing guidelines (increased burden on system)

B.        Sentencing more rigid (could cause injustice in some cases)

C.        Prison overcrowding, construction and related costs are serious concerns

D.        Public supports harsh punishment / resistant to raising taxes to build new prisons and fund new programs