@article{ref1,
title="Apolitical courts? Rape sentencing in Montana",
journal="Behavioral sciences and the law",
year="1994",
author="Yarnold, Barbara M.",
volume="12",
number="3",
pages="299-312",
abstract="This analysis examines dockets of the state courts of Montana for the years 1987-1989 in rape cases to determine whether sentencing decisions are significantly related to three political variables: the percentage of women in county executive office as a measure of a relevant judicial constituency, the extent to which the county in which a court is located is Democratic, and whether the judge who enters a decision was appointed or elected. The analysis suggests that two legally relevant facts--the crime rate and multiple charges against a defendant--are significantly related to outcome. Political factors do not appear to influence state court sentencing decisions in rape cases since: (1) sentencing decisions in rape cases are not 'major', publicized issues; (2) the selection of state court judges (appointed and elected) is nonpartisan; and (3) interest groups were not involved in rape sentencing cases.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0735-3936",
doi="10.1002/bsl.2370120308",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2370120308"
}