From Bright Plots to Blind Spots: Mapping Departures in Case Review Post-Bail Reform in Two New Jersey Courts

This study documents the extent to which prosecutors and judges in New Jersey deviate from new case review protocols post-bail reform. We draw on a random sample of hearings observed in two courts (N = 372) to (a) map prosecutorial requests to depart from risk-based recommendations for pretrial moni...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rengifo, Andres F. (Author)
Contributors: Jackson, Ashley N. ; Flores, Sofía G.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2021, Volume: 48, Issue: 1, Pages: 96-115
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
CRIMINAL justice system
Decision-making
Implementation
Law
Punishment
Description
Summary:This study documents the extent to which prosecutors and judges in New Jersey deviate from new case review protocols post-bail reform. We draw on a random sample of hearings observed in two courts (N = 372) to (a) map prosecutorial requests to depart from risk-based recommendations for pretrial monitoring and (b) explore patterns in judicial review signaling more limited case processing. Findings show that in 16% of cases, prosecutors deviated from guidelines and most of these motions were adopted by judges to increase supervision. Deviations from process by judges were more frequent, with 39% of cases observed linked to one or more markers of reduced review. Multivariate results suggest that case-level factors influenced the patterning of these departures in different ways, with older defendants and most Latinx defendants receiving a more limited assessment of their cases. We discuss findings in connection to literature on corrections reform and smart decarceration initiatives.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/0093854820960504