Examining changes in procedural justice and their influence on problem‐solving court outcomes |
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| Authors: | Cindy Brooks Dollar Bradley Ray Mary Kay Hudson Brittany J Hood |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA;2. School of Public and Environmental Affairs Business, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, USA;3. Indiana Judicial Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA;4. Department of Criminal Justice, Indiana University‐Bloomington, IN, USA |
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| Abstract: | The number of problem‐solving courts has grown substantially since the mid‐1990s. Research consistently indicates that participation in these courts lowers recidivism, which is often attributed to defendants’ increased perceptions of procedural justice in these programs. Yet, prior studies are limited in their focus, often examining interactions with the judge in a single court or examining defendant perceptions and outcomes at a single time point. In the present study, we investigate defendant perceptions of procedural justice with judges and case managers across multiple problem‐solving courts over time. Findings indicate that procedural justice varies across court actors and over time. Procedural justice is lower among judges than among case managers; however, changes in perceptions of procedural justice with the judge are associated with improved court outcomes. We suggest that defendant perceptions are variable and complex but important in explaining variations in outcomes. |
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