Death and Deterrence: Notes on a Still Inchoate Judicial Inquiry

Cottrol, Robert

Abstract

Death and Deterrence: Notes on a Still Inchoate Judicial Inquiry

Robert J. Cottrol

The George Washington University

October 18, 1999

STATISTICAL SCIENCE IN THE COURTROOM, Joseph Gastwirth, ed., (Springer-Verlag Publishers, New York, New York), August, 2000

Abstract:
This article examines the impact of the social science literature on the death penalty and deterrence on court decisions in capital punishment cases. The article examines two highly influential statistical studies, one done by sociologist Thorsten Sellin in 1959 and the other by economist Isaac Ehrlich in 1975 and uses both studies to illustrate the kinds of questions the courts can and should ask of quantitative studies in this area.

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: February 22, 2000

Suggested Citation

Cottrol, Robert J., Death and Deterrence: Notes on a Still Inchoate Judicial Inquiry (October 18, 1999). STATISTICAL SCIENCE IN THE COURTROOM, Joseph Gastwirth, ed., (Springer-Verlag Publishers, New York, New York), August, 2000. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=211568

Contact Information

Robert J. Cottrol (Contact Author)

The George Washington University ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States
202-994-5023 (Phone)
Not available (Fax)