Date of Defense
6-17-1981
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Ronald Kramer, Sociology
Abstract
Judicial discretion in sentencing is a hotly debated subject in the criminal justice field. This is the result of the legislature giving judges considerable leeway in deciding what sentence should be imposed. A judge can choose between probation and imprisonment for an offender. There are four legal factors to aid a judge in determining a sentence. The first and most important factor it the seriousness of the offense. The second factor is the prior record of the offender. The third element is aggravating or mitigating circumstances surrounding the crime. The fourth factor is the social stability of the defendant. It is the problem of extralegal variables and their relationship that this paper studies.
Recommended Citation
Gregory, Debra, "Extralegal Factors in Sentencing and Their Relationship to the Sanctions Imposed" (1981). Honors Theses. 450.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/450
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Campus Only