The Impact of Low Priority Laws on Criminal Activity: Evidence from California

33 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2015

See all articles by Amanda Ross

Amanda Ross

University of Alabama - Culverhouse College of Commerce & Business Administration

Anne W. Walker

University of Colorado at Denver - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Date Written: January 16, 2015

Abstract

We examine the impact of low priority initiatives on criminal behavior. Low priority initiatives mandate that minor marijuana possession offenses be the lowest enforcement priority for police officers. Localities pass these laws because they believe if officers devote fewer resources towards minor marijuana crimes, more resources will be available to deter more serious crimes. Using data from California, we find that jurisdictions that adopted low priority laws experienced a reduction in arrests for misdemeanor marijuana offenses. However, we do not find a significant effect of enacting a low priority initiative on the crime rate or clearance rate of felony offenses.

Keywords: Low Priority Laws, Drug Policy, Economics of Crime, Police Resource Allocation

JEL Classification: H1, H4, K4, R5

Suggested Citation

Ross, Amanda and Walker, Anne W., The Impact of Low Priority Laws on Criminal Activity: Evidence from California (January 16, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2648342 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2648342

Amanda Ross (Contact Author)

University of Alabama - Culverhouse College of Commerce & Business Administration ( email )

Culverhouse College of Business
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0223
United States

Anne W. Walker

University of Colorado at Denver - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ( email )

Denver, CO
United States
3033458915 (Phone)

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