NCJ Number
11509
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1973) Pages: 93-101
Date Published
1973
Length
9 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF THE DEMORALIZING EFFECT NEGOTIATED PLEAS HAS ON POLICE ATTITUDES WITHOUT AFFECTING ACTUAL POLICE PERFORMANCE.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR RANDOMLY DISTRIBUTED QUESTIONNAIRES TO POLICE OFFICERS IN RHODE ISLAND, AND ANALYZED THEIR RESPONSES TO FOURTEEN QUESTIONS CONCERNING THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD PLEA BARGAINING. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE HIGH FREQUENCY OF PLEA BARGAINING, WHICH OFTEN ACCOUNTS FOR DEFENDANTS RECEIVING LENIENT SENTENCES, HAS A DEMORALIZING EFFECT ON POLICE. THIS DEMORALIZING EFFECT ON POLICE ATTITUDES SEEMS TO RESULT IN NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD LOCAL JUSTICE AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THESE ATTITUDES, HOWEVER, DO NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT ACTUAL JOB PERFORMANCE. A MAJORITY OF THOSE SURVEYED FELT THAT PLEA BARGAINING SHOULD CONTINUE.