Citation

Deming RR. J. Crim. Justice 1977; 5(1): 29-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(77)90022-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In light of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice and the National Council of Crime and Delinquency that drunkenness be decriminalized, a study was undertaken to determine the effects of decriminalization on the offender and the criminal justice system in a midwestern city of 100,000. The costs were calculated for handling this type of offender, and police were interviewed for their reactions. It was determined that $136,749 was spent that year on handling drunkenness arrests before decriminalization. After decriminalization, not only was this money freed for other uses, but the police were found to be more adept at using human relations techniques, and the offenders became more responsible for their own well-being.