Data Collection & Analysis
Data Collection and Analysis
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Crime Stats
Literature Review
Due the fact that rape and robbery is often committed by repeat offenders some states have imposed strict guidelines for offenders that continue to commit these types of crimes. After reviewing an article by William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General, and Shelby County, Tennessee, for example, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office no longer offers plea bargains on indictments for, armed robbery and rape involving the use of a deadly weapon. Once a suspect is indicted for any such offense, the defendant should expect to either plead guilty to the charge or be tried on that charge. The suspect is longer bargaining on the offense once there is an indictment.
The result is that a person whom commits armed robbery or rape involving the use of a deadly weapon in Shelby County is tried for what the person did and not allowed to plead to not guilty. The no plea bargaining policy reflects the Shelby County’s decision to place more of its resources and effort on combating violent crime.
This new policy is in large part possible due to a process by which representatives of the District Attorney’s Office meet with representatives of the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to screen cases involving the violent crimes covered by this policy. This early review process is helping ensure that the D.A.’s Office has a good case with strong evidence before someone is charged and a proposed indictment is presented to the grand jury. This is a profound example of how cooperation among the D.A.’s Office, the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office can have a positive impact on their ability to tackle crime.
In addition to holding individuals accountable for their acts, the D.A.’s Office hopes the no plea bargaining policy will serve as a deterrent to the commission of...
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