Topic:
CRIMINAL STATISTICS; FELONIES;
Location:
CRIMINAL STATISTICS;

OLR Research Report


March 4, 2008

  

2008-R-0190

CONVICTIONS OF CLASS A AND B FELONIES

By: Christopher Reinhart, Senior Attorney

You asked about the percentage of convictions for class A and B felony charges.

The Office of Fiscal Analysis maintains a database of Judicial Branch information on criminal cases. Over the last six fiscal years (FY 02 to FY 07), the percentage of class A and B felony charges resulting in convictions varied. Conviction rates for class A felonies ranged from a low of 29. 1% in FY 02 to a high of 39. 7% in FY 07. Conviction rates for class B felonies ranged from a low of 34. 5% in FY 02 to a high of 46. 9% in FY 07.

The chart below displays this information. It show the number of charges for A and B felonies, whether they resulted in convictions or not, and the percentage of charges that resulted in convictions for each of the last six fiscal years.

Fiscal Year

Offenses

Convictions

Non-Convictions

Conviction Percentage

 

By Jury

By Judge

Plea

Jury Not Guilty

Non-Jury Not Guilty

Nolle

Class A Felonies

2007

401

61

6

92

27

4

211

39. 7%

2006

374

57

2

65

21

5

224

33. 2%

2005

491

58

9

97

31

7

289

33. 4%

2004

382

53

10

70

30

31

188

34. 8%

2003

364

54

11

65

48

2

184

35. 7%

2002

481

73

8

59

35

5

301

29. 1%

-Continued-

Fiscal Year

Offenses

Convictions

Non-Convictions

Conviction Percentage

 

By Jury

By Judge

Plea

Jury Not Guilty

Non-Jury Not Guilty

Nolle

Class B Felonies

2007

4,205

129

131

1,711

86

11

2,137

46. 9%

2006

4,591

191

178

1,675

130

37

2,380

44. 5%

2005

4,358

152

214

1,653

81

30

2,228

46. 3%

2004*

4,072

131

249

1,419

80

7

2,181

44. 2%

2003*

4,069

159

330

1,370

90

35

2,083

45. 7%

2002*

4,787

127

325

1,200

229

17

2,888

34. 5%

*In 2004, there were 5 cases resulting in bond forfeiture, 2 cases in 2003, and one in 2002.

CR: ts