NCJ Number
184300
Date Published
July 2000
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This report provides detailed statistical information on sentences imposed under North Carolina's Structured Sentencing Act between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 1999.
Abstract
The report only includes cases in which an offender was convicted and sentenced for a crime that was committed on or after October 1, 1994, the effective date of structured sentencing. The report presents information on the number of felony and misdemeanor convictions, the distribution of felony and misdemeanor convictions within their respective punishment grids, and the types of punishments imposed, as well as data about several other issues. During fiscal year 1998-99, sentences for 24,168 felony convictions were imposed under structured sentencing; this number excludes sentences imposed for drug trafficking and violent habitual felon convictions, which are subject to mandatory penalties. Thirty-four percent of felony convictions resulted in an "active" punishment, 41 percent resulted in an "intermediate" punishment, and 25 percent resulted in a "community" punishment. Of the four crime types, non-trafficking drug offenses accounted for the largest group of felony convictions (37 percent), followed closely by property offenses (35 percent). Person offenses represented 19 percent of convictions, and other felonies accounted for 9 percent of convictions. During fiscal year 1998-99, sentences for 157,611 misdemeanor convictions were imposed under structured sentencing. Seventeen percent of misdemeanor convictions resulted in an "active" punishment, 1 percent resulted in an "intermediate" punishment, and 82 percent resulted in a "community" punishment. Public order offenses accounted for the majority of misdemeanor convictions (43 percent), and misdemeanor drug offenses accounted for the lowest proportion (13 percent). Extensive tables and figures