"Extremely Creepy, but Nothing he did was Illegal": Charging Patterns During Prearrest Screening. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lowrey-Kinberg, Belén; Bowman, Rachel; Gould, Jon
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice policy review. Volume 33:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 918
• Page End: 942
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: charging decision -- felony screening -- prosecution; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.973
• DOI: 10.1177/08874034221099604
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-4034

Abstract

We examine an approach to case screening where prosecutors screen requests for charges before a felony arrest is made. In 2016, Franklin County prosecutors declined to authorize arrests in 17.5% of felony cases. Declination rates, however, varied widely between offense types. Prosecutors most commonly did not authorize an arrest due to insufficient evidence, no crime having occurred, or follow-up needed. Among other findings, the cases of Black defendants, as compared to White defendants, were more likely to be declined due to insufficient evidence and additional follow-up needed. We conclude that prearrest screening by prosecutors can filter out weak cases early, increasing efficiency for the prosecutor's office, saving the government money, and minimizing the impact of a "bad" arrest on a defendant.