Brennan Lecture Evidence-Based Judicial Discretion: Promoting Public Safety through State Sentencing Reform

32 Pages Posted: 8 Jan 2009

See all articles by Michael A. Wolff

Michael A. Wolff

Saint Louis University - School of Law

Date Written: November 2008

Abstract

In this speech delivered for the annual Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Lecture on State Courts and Social Justice, the Honorable Michael Wolff offers a new way of thinking about sentencing. Instead of attempting to limit judicial discretion and increase incarceration, states should aim to reduce recidivism in order to make our communities safer. Judge Wolff uses the example of Missouri's sentencing reforms to argue that states should adopt evidence-based sentencing, in which the effectiveness of different sentences and treatment programs are regularly evaluated. In pre-sentencing investigative reports, probation officers should attempt to quantify - based on historical data - the risk the offender poses to the community and the specific treatment that would be most likely to prevent reoffending. Judges, on their own, lack the resources to implement all of these recommendations. Probation officers and others involved in sentencing should receive the same information.

Keywords: Criminal Law, sentencing, corrections

Suggested Citation

Wolff, Michael A., Brennan Lecture Evidence-Based Judicial Discretion: Promoting Public Safety through State Sentencing Reform (November 2008). New York University Law Review, Vol. 83, No. 5, 2008, Saint Louis U. Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2008-14, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1324193

Michael A. Wolff (Contact Author)

Saint Louis University - School of Law ( email )

100 N. Tucker Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63101
United States

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