Use and Effectiveness of Fines, Jail, and Probation in Municipal Courts in Los Angeles County, 1981-1984
Description
The purpose of this data collection was to identify those
attributes of offenders that are most often associated with receiving
particular types of financial penalties along with probation, such as
fines, restitution, and cost of probation. A further purpose was to
estimate the relative effectiveness of these penalties in preventing
recidivism. Variables include descriptions of the type of offense and
penalties received, the location of the court where sentencing took
place, and information about the individual's race, age, gender, level
of education, employment, living arrangements, and financial status.
Prior arrests and convictions are included, as are arrests,
convictions, and penalties subsequent to the original case under
study. Also provided are six sets of variables that describe all
offenders within each conviction category. These six groups provide
additional information about the offender's background and
behavior. The conviction categories include assault, burglary, drug
crimes, driving under the influence, theft, and indecent exposure.