Crime Comparison Paper

Criminologist Advisor Recommendation

Angela Ross

CJA/314

March 1, 2011

Aric Tosqui

Criminologist Advisor Recommendation

This paper will discuss the advice of the criminologist advisor to the state legislature on doubling the maximum prison term for anyone convicted of armed robbery. The member of the legislature is concerned about whether the bill will make a difference on individuals committing the crime. As the criminologist advisor for the Michigan state legislature member, I will give the current prison term for armed robbery and my recommendations. I will also include Michigan’s “truth in Sentencing” law.

When discussing armed robbery, you first have to know the definition to get an understanding of how serious armed robbery can be. Armed robbery is defined as someone taking another persons’ property by gunpoint or with the use or the intent of a weapon. Currently the penalties for armed robbery in Michigan are subjected to but not limited to jail time of up to 23 months, fines of up to $25,000 or probation and electronic monitoring between 18-24 months. Typically most first time offenders do not receive the maximum sentence whether it be fines or jail time as long as the victim is not injured during the robbery. Michigan had a total of 12,330 robberies committed in 2009; out of that number 5,913 robberies were in Detroit (The FBI: Uniform Crime Reports, 2009).

During sentencing it is the judge’s decision that determines how long a person convicted of armed robbery will receive. Based on the severity of that particular crime, the state, federal regulations and if the individual is already a convicted felon determines and aides the judge in providing a determinate and indeterminate sentence. Determinate sentencing usually involves a convicted felon that will serve their entire sentence given to him/her. He/she may also receive time earned based on criterion established by statute and regulations. A person sentenced under a...