RT Research Data T1 Impact of the No Early Release Act (NERA) on Prosecution and Sentencing in New Jersey, 1996-2000 A1 McCoy, Candace A2 McManimon, Patrick LA English PP Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar PB [Verlag nicht ermittelbar] YR 2005 UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1840066474 AB This study examined New Jersey's No Early Release Act (NERA), which became effective in 1997. NERA required that offenders convicted of violent crimes serve at least 85 percent of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole. This study's primary goal was to determine whether prosecutors changed their charging and plea bargaining practices in order to obtain sentences under NERA that were roughly equivalent to those imposed before NERA. Data were obtained from the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts for 1996 to May 2000. These data included every case in which a crime covered by the No Early Release Act was charged and, for comparison, every case involving a burglary charge, a charge not covered by NERA. These data cover defendants' progress through the New Jersey court system, including the initial charge, indictment, and sentencing. K1 disposition (legal) K1 mandatory sentences K1 plea bargains K1 prosecuting attorneys K1 sentencing reforms K1 Forschungsdaten DO 10.3886/ICPSR04178.v1