NCJ Number
5162
Date Published
1972
Length
62 pages
Annotation
NARRATIVE REPORT ON DEFENDANTS' VIEWS OF THEIR ENCOUNTERS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE STUDY IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH 71 MEN CHARGED WITH FELONIES. IT FOUND THAT DEFENDANTS BELIEVE THAT AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE OPERATES MUCH LIKE AN ASSEMBLY LINE. ONCE ARRESTED, THEY ARE PROCESSED BY A SERIES OF INDIVIDUALS--POLICE OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, JUDGES,--WHO ARE NOT SO MUCH INTERESTED IN THEM AS IN MAINTAINING A PRODUCTION ETHIC AND TURNING CASES OVER. WHETHER A MAN IS SET FREE, PUT ON PROBATION, OR INCARCERATED DOES NOT SEEM TO THE DEFENDANT TO DEPEND UPON HIS OWN MOTIVATIONS AND NEEDS, RATHER HE IS AN OBJECT TO BE PROCESSED. THE DEFENDANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THE MORAL STATUS OF THE LAW ITSELF BUT FIND IN ITS ENFORCEMENT NOT NEUTRAL PRINCIPLES BUT BARGAINING, MANIPULATION, AND EXPLOITATION. THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE SIMILAR TO THEIR OWN LIVES ON THE STREETS, AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ALSO INHERENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE MILITATES AGAINST THE ABILITY OF OUR SYSTEM TO TEACH DEFENDANTS LESSONS ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS OF LIVING.