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1 Felony Sentences in State Courts, 1986 1 (1986)

handle is hein.death/felscts0001 and id is 1 raw text is: U.S. Department of Justice W1 Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics Felony Sentences 10 in State Courts, 1986 In 1986 State eowt in the United States convicted an estimated 583,000 persons of felonies and sentenced about 46% of that number to State prison. These estimates, from the National 'Judicial Reporting Program (NJRP) of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), are the results of the first nationally representative survey of sentencing In State felony courts ever conducted. The survey provides data for two popu- lations: the entire United States and the Nation's 75 most populous counties. Highlights of the findings include: * Nationwide in 1986 an estimated 110,000 persons were convicted of a violent felony, 103,000 of burglary, and 76,000 of drug trafficking. Together these crimes accounted for an esti- mated 289,000 persons convicted of felonies-50% of the total in 1986. * An estimated 42% of felony convic- tions in State courts occurred within the Nation's 75 largest counties. These counties have 37% of the Nation's popu- lation but about half of its reported crime. * Throughout the Nation, State courts sentenced an estimated 46% of con- victed felons to State prison, 21% to local jails (usually for a year or less), 31% to straight probation, and 2% to other nonincarceration sentences. * In the 75 largest counties State courts sentenced 41% of convicted felons to State prison, 30% to local jails, 27% to straight probation, and 2% to other nonincarceration sentences. This report, based on the new National Judicial Reporting Pro- gram of the Bureau of Justice Sta- tistics, presents the first nationally representative data on felony sentencing in State courts through- out the Nation. Drawing upon data collected from 100 counties for 1986, it addresses such previously unanswered questions as: --How many persons are convicted of felonies In a single year In the United States? --What percent of those convicted of felonies are violent offenders? --What is the average length of probation sentences, jail sentences, and prison sentences? 9 Nationwide, 37% of those convicted of drug trafficking in State courts were sentenced to prison, 27% to local jails, and 35% to straight probation. e An estimated 2% of those convicted of murder or nonnegligent manslaughter in the Nation were sentenced to death. * Nationwide the average (or mean) in- carceration sentence was 4 years and 10 months; the median sentence length (middle value) was 3 years. Sentences to State prison had an average length of 6 years and 9 months and a median length of 5 years. Sentences to local jail had an average length of 9 months and a median length of 6 months. February 1989 --What percent of convicted drug traffickers receive a prison sentence in State courts? As this series expands in the com- ing years, it will be possible to provide both greater detail and more precise estimates. In addition BJS will be able to examine changes over time in the use and duration of confinement and community sen- tences. BJS gratefully acknowledges the many State courts and prosecutors that participated in the National Judicial Reporting Program. Their cooperation and assistance made this report possible. Joseph M. Bessette Acting Director * Probation sentences averaged 3 years and 10 months in the Nation and 3 years and 5 months in the 75 largest counties. * Based upon sentence reductions for good behavior (good-time credits) and parole, it is estimated that those felons sentenced to prison in 1986 throughout the United States will serve an average of 2 years and 9 months before release. For murder and nonnegligent manslaugh- ter the estimated time to serve for those sentenced to prison is 7 years and 2 months; for rape, 5 years and 6 months; for robbery, 4 years and 9 months; for burglary, 2 years and 7 months; and for drug trafficking, I year and 10 months.

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