The power to punish: Discretion and sentencing reform in the war on drugs

This article addresses whether and how organizational processes and the exe rcise of discretion affect the relationship between sentencing reforms and sentencing outcomes. Organizational perspectives are drawn upon to develop competing hypotheses regarding courts' adaptations to and implementation of reforms under sentencing guidelines. To test these hypotheses, changes in the charging and sentencing of drug offenders in Washington Slate from 1986 to 1995 are examined following a series of sentencing reforms. The finding s suggest that changes to the sentencing laws have resulted in adaptations by courtroom workgroups that are consistent with an organizational efficien cy model of criminal justice.