This study extends the use of the organizational perspective in judicial process research by introducing an analytic model for assessing the effect of variations in courtroom workgroup structure and characteristics on felony case processing and sentencing decisions. The research model allowed for a two-dimensional rotation/substitution of workgroup members. Quantitative case processing and sentencing data for each of the twelve workgroups in the study were analyzed in terms of the qualitative organizational variables which characterized each group. It was found that: (1) workgroups with a constant prosecutor-defense attorney nucleus produced the most quantitatively consistent decisions; (2) a workgroup's acceptance level of informal work norms and the quality of interpersonal communications were strongly associated with the level of adversariness in case processing, while sentencing was not affected by variations in these qualities; and, (3) traditional case and defendant related variables had a conjoint affect on decision-making, the strength of the association varying positively with the level of adversariness used by the workgroup. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-02, Section: A, page: 0584. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75051 |
| Contributors | MORGAN, FRANKLYN CAPELLE., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 265 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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