CRJ 350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Insanity Defense, Irresistible Impulse, Affirmative Defense
Document Summary
Conservatives believe that many dangerous criminals beat the system and escape punishment through loopholes in the system. Close involvement from start to end allows for inclusion of all relevant details. Due to involvement in the case and with victims, there is less likelihood of negotiating less charges. Crime victims deal with only one prosecutor. Prosecutor specializes in certain areas (sex crimes, gun crimes) The san diego major violator unit involved a program with continuity of prosection targeting robbery and special cases of robbery-related homicide, and restricted charge bargains. Had only a modest impact on conviction rates and rate of inmates sentenced to prison, because prosecutors were already tough. The program increased the percentage of convicted offenders sent to prison, because the category included split sentences. Public misunderstanding about split sentences contributes to perceptions of the system as lenient, but offenders are not beating the system.