An evaluation of the impact of criminal law revision

Abstract

For many decades there has been a perceived need for criminal law revision in the United States. The American Law Institute sponsored the creation of a Model Penal Code which became available in 1962 and spurred activity which has resulted in some 40 states enacting new criminal codes. Among the many objectives of the new codes is the increased efficiency and effectiveness of criminal justice procedures. The present evaluation effort searched for changes in system rates which, it was assumed, would be effected by the New Jersey Criminal Code enacted in 1979. For example, the evaluation searched for changes in the handling of certain tyes of offenses as well as for changes in various court processes. Evaluation results revealed few changes in the many areas investigated. Consideration of the assumptions underlying criminal law revision and the relative lack of predicted impact raises issues that deserve but have not received much attention, certainly very little research and evaluation. This report ends with a discussion of reasonable expectations for criminal law revision and suggestions for related research.