Misdemeanor Prosecution and Recidivism
This study examines the impact of nonprosecution of nonviolent misdemeanors on future criminal behavior.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | CATO Institute |
| Authors: | Anna Harvey, Jennifer Doleac, Amanda Agan |
| Time horizon: | 2004 |
| Geographic focus: | Suffolk County, Massachusetts |
Methods
The researchers used data from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, covering 2004-2018, to analyze the impact of nonprosecution on future criminal justice system contact. They compared the outcomes of defendants based on the leniency of the assistant district attorneys at arraignment.
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Key Insights
The research investigates the effects of nonprosecution of nonviolent misdemeanors on recidivism, using data from Suffolk County, Massachusetts. It finds that nonprosecution significantly reduces future criminal complaints and suggests that lenient handling of such cases could decrease future criminal justice involvement, particularly benefiting black residents.
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Additional Viewpoints
Categories: 2000s time horizon | 2004 time horizon | English publication language | Massachusetts geographic scope | Suffolk County geographic scope | ada leniency | criminal justice | empirical analysis | future criminal complaints | misdemeanor prosecution | nonprosecution impact | nonviolent offenses | policy change effects | race disparities | recidivism