The Invisible Scholar: Authors of Legal Scholarship in Criminology and Criminal Justice Journals

This study assesses the authorship of legal scholarship within 20 criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) journals from 2005 through 2015, examining trends over time and variation across journals in the prevalence of sole-authorship and the mean number of authors and identifying the most prolific authors of legal scholarship published in CCJ journals. The study thus sheds light on the extent of collaboration among CCJ legal scholars and identifies CCJ legal scholars who have remained largely invisible due to their focus on a marginalized subfield

Persona Non Grata: The Marginalization of Legal Scholarship in Criminology and Criminal Justice Journals

Recently, concern has been voiced within the academy regarding the marginalization of legal scholarship within the criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) discipline. Although conventional wisdom and anecdotal evidence indicate that it is difficult to get legal scholarship published in CCJ journals, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on the representation of legal scholarship in CCJ journals. The present study assesses the representation of legal scholarship in 20 CCJ journals from 2005 through 2015, examining both trends over time and variation across journals. Findings indicate legal scholarship comprises a very small portion of articles published, there has been a steep decline in the number of legal articles published in recent years and the average number of legal articles per year is very low for nearly all of the journals in the sample. The implications of the marginalization of legal scholarship within the CCJ discipline are discussed

Wreck on the Highway: The Intersectionality of Driver Culpability, THC, Other Intoxicants and Fatalities in Washington State

Objective: Given the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2012 in Washington State and recent mixed results regarding the effects of cannabis on driver safety, we examine the link between Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and driver’s behavior, including speeding and driver errors which may have contributed to a particular fatal crash. Methods: The current study utilized data from the Washington State Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical File (WA FARS) in years 2008-2016. A series of logistic regression were employed to compare THC positive and negative drivers, as well as drivers who tested positive for other intoxicants. Results: The results of the study were mixed as Delta-9 THC positively predicted speeding, but not other driver errors. Interestingly, Carboxy THC, a non-psychoactive chemical that can be detected for a longer period of time, was a significant predictor of both speeding and driver errors. Conclusions: This research further demonstrates that cannabis is a risk factor for fatal crashes, though it is not nearly a risk factor of the same magnitude as alcohol. Additional research is needed to better understand why Carboxy THC is a stronger and more robust predictor of poor driving behavior than Delta-9 THC

What Legally Prescribed Functions Tell Us: Role Differences Between Adult and Juvenile Probation Officers

The authors\u27 current study, which is built on prior attempts to explore legally prescribed probation functions across 50 states and the District of Columbia, examines the statutorily prescribed duties of adult and juvenile probation officers in the past 10 years. Analyses of role shifts and the complementarities and differences that exist in the statutes are also explored

Waist Deep in the Big Muddy: The JD/PhD Debate in Criminal Justice Education

There is an ongoing debate in criminal justice departments as to whether a person with a JD degree has the education necessary to be a full-time faculty member. Recently, several authors have argued that a JD should be sufficient and that a PhD should not be required. In this essay I argue otherwise. JD training is not equivalent to PhD training. PhD training provides a background in social science methods, statistical analysis, and theory that JD training does not. The discipline of criminal justice needs to assert control over its credential standards lest others do it for us

Recent Legal Developments: Criminal Justice Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, 2008 Term

During its 2008 term, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a total of 79 cases, issuing 75 signed opinions and 4 summary reversals. A total of 31 cases (39%) involved a criminal justice-related issue. Although a number of these decisions will have only a slight impact on the daily administration of justice, there were a number of significant decisions involving criminal justice, including decisions involving search and seizure, interrogations, and sentencing. Justice Kennedy remains the crucial swing vote on a court that is often divided 4–4. In the 2006 term, Justice Kennedy was in the majority in 100% (24 of 24) of the cases decided by a 5–4 margin. In the 2007 term, he was in the majority in 8 of the 12 cases decided by a 5–4 vote. In the 2008 term, Justice Kennedy was in the majority in 18 of the 23 cases (78%) decided by a 5–4 vote and in the majority in 73 (92%) of all cases. Clearly, where Justice Kennedy goes, the Court is likely to follow. Clear ideological divisions exist on the Court. Certain justices are consistently aligned with some justices and not with others. For instance, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito agreed either in whole or in part in 92% of all cases, whereas on the other end of the ideological spectrum, Justices Stevens, Ginsberg, and Souter agreed either in whole or in part in 86% of all cases. Justice Stevens cast more solo dissenting votes (28) than any other justice. Sixteen (70%) of the 5–4 decisions broke down according to predictable ideological lines, with Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Kennedy, and Chief Justice Roberts on the rights and Justices Stevens, Souter, Ginsberg, and Breyer on the left. Cases in which justices broke ranks included cases involving sentencing issues (the Apprendi and Blakely-related cases) and cases involving the Confrontation Clause. I present below a summary and analysis of the most significant decisions involving criminal justice. Space limitations prevent a discussion of every criminal justice-related decision. The cases are divided, somewhat roughly, into categories

Law, Justice, and Society: A Sociolegal Introduction

https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/fac_books/1322/thumbnail.jp