NCJ Number
14580
Journal
CRIME AND DELINQUENCY LITERATURE Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1971) Pages: 413-429
Date Published
1971
Length
17 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN THINKING AND LEGISLATION ON SUSPENDED SENTENCES AND FINES, OUTLINING THE BENEFITS AND APPLICABILITY OF THESE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THE SUSPENDED SENTENCE AND THE FINE SHOULD BE USED MORE OFTEN. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROBATION AND THE SUSPENDED SENTENCE ARE INDICATED. PROBATION IS SEEN AS THE PROPER DISPOSITION FOR MANY CURRENTLY INCARCERATED OFFENDERS WHO REQUIRE GUIDANCE BUT POSE NO DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY. HE STATES THAT AN EXPANDED USE OF THE SUSPENDED SENTENCE WOULD FREE PROBATION STAFF FOR MORE SERIOUS CASES WHILE STILL PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATE DISPOSITION FOR THOSE NOT REQUIRING SUPERVISION. FINES ARE SEEN AS A VALID DISPOSITION NOT ONLY WHEN THE MOTIVE FOR THE OFFENSE IS ECONOMIC GAIN, BUT IN NONPECUNIARY OFFENSES AS WELL. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT IMPRISONMENT OF INDIGENTS FOR NONPAYMENT OF FINES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED, BUT THAT THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO PAY BUT WILLFULLY REFUSE SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT.