Optimal sentencing with recurring crimes and adjudication errors

Guerra, A., Nilssen, T. (2022). Optimal sentencing with recurring crimes and adjudication errors. Journal of Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00712-022-00813-8

13 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2021 Last revised: 9 Dec 2022

See all articles by Alice Guerra

Alice Guerra

University of Bologna - Department of Economics

Tore Nilssen

University of Oslo - Department of Economics

Date Written: June 29, 2021

Abstract

We analyze optimal sentence length for recurring crimes in the face of adjudication errors. We develop an infinite-horizon model where offenders are habitual—they repeat crimes whenever free. If apprehended, criminals may be wrongfully acquitted. Similarly, innocent people may be apprehended and wrongfully convicted. The key result shows how the risks of wrongful convictions and wrongful acquittals affect optimal sentencing. For reasonable ranges of parameter values, the two types of adjudication errors have the same qualitative effect on optimal sentencing: a greater risk of any of the two adjudication errors leads to a decrease in optimal sentencing.

Keywords: Recurring crime; Recidivism; Incapacitation; Adjudication errors; Sentencing

JEL Classification: K14, K42

Suggested Citation

Guerra, Alice and Nilssen, Tore, Optimal sentencing with recurring crimes and adjudication errors (June 29, 2021). Guerra, A., Nilssen, T. (2022). Optimal sentencing with recurring crimes and adjudication errors. Journal of Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00712-022-00813-8, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3741566 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3741566

Alice Guerra

University of Bologna - Department of Economics ( email )

Bologna
Italy

Tore Nilssen (Contact Author)

University of Oslo - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 1095 Blindern
N-0317 Oslo
Norway

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