A STUDY OF CRIMINAL-JUSTICE DISCRETION

This research empirically examined indicators of charging and sentence reduction and the criminal sanctions meted out to a representative sa mple of felons convicted in one midwestern state court. A multivariate analysis of prosecutorial and judicial discretion examined the influe nce of case, personal, social, and criminal justice process factors. T he utility of sentencing guidelines for achieving fairness and justice in criminal justice policy and practices was assessed.