Abstract
This study examined the impact of prior personal or vicarious experience with the criminal justice system on sentencing attitudes.
Existing research on sentencing attitudes has examined factors such as race, gender, income level, political affiliation,
and education level, but few research studies have focused on actual contact with the criminal justice system and its influence
on perceptions of sentencing as either too harsh or too lenient. The current study utilized data collected by the Roper Center
for Public Opinion Research. Over 1,500 respondents were surveyed nationwide in 2006 regarding sentencing attitudes. Logistic
regression analysis was utilized to assess the impact of factors of interest on sentencing attitudes. Results indicated that
individuals who had been charged with a crime (personal experience), or who had an immediate relative or close friend who
had been charged (vicarious experience), were more likely to perceive the criminal justice system as too harsh, regardless
of race/ethnicity.
Existing research on sentencing attitudes has examined factors such as race, gender, income level, political affiliation,
and education level, but few research studies have focused on actual contact with the criminal justice system and its influence
on perceptions of sentencing as either too harsh or too lenient. The current study utilized data collected by the Roper Center
for Public Opinion Research. Over 1,500 respondents were surveyed nationwide in 2006 regarding sentencing attitudes. Logistic
regression analysis was utilized to assess the impact of factors of interest on sentencing attitudes. Results indicated that
individuals who had been charged with a crime (personal experience), or who had an immediate relative or close friend who
had been charged (vicarious experience), were more likely to perceive the criminal justice system as too harsh, regardless
of race/ethnicity.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s12103-011-9120-8
- Authors
- Mario A. Davila, Criminal Justice Department, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
- Deborah J. Hartley, Criminal Justice Department, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
- Kevin Buckler, Criminal Justice Department, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
- Steve Wilson, Criminal Justice Department, University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
- Journal American Journal of Criminal Justice
- Online ISSN 1936-1351
- Print ISSN 1066-2316