Examining Sentencing Decisions for Criminal Child Neglect

• In Event: Child Abuse Prevalence, Indicators, and Responses

Abstract

Steffensmeier and colleague’s (1993; 1998) focal concerns perspective has become the “dominant theoretical framework” for explaining sentencing disparities (Hartley, Maddan & Spohn, 2007, p. 58). The current study examines whether the decision tree analytical technique offers improvement in predicting sentencing decisions through application of focal concerns perspective. Specifically, sentencing decisions of individual defendants convicted of criminal child neglect are examined. Implications of the results and directions for future research will be discussed.

Authors

• Mari Pierce, Pennsylvania State University, Beaver

• Steven L. Brewer, Pennsylvania State University, Shenango

• Hannah Brewer, Slippery Rock University