Spohn's Qualitative Theory

Spohn (2001) and Kane (2005) had both focused on decision making of criminal justice actors. Spohn (2001) focused on using individual-level data with qualitative method driven data and Kane (2005) used a macro-level approach using quantitative data methods. These two different methods brought out important but different perspectives into criminology research. Kane use a macro level approach to looking at police legitimacy and predicting violent crime. This macro level study used the New York City Police Department and the United States Census bureau for data sources. The unit of analysis was the police precinct which a macro level approach that looks at a precinct as a whole. This approach does not bring in a personal level of analysis that correlates misconduct, and elements that affect police legitimacy with violent crime. This approach was much different than Spohn but was just as important. The way …show more content…
The scripted responses that prosecutors must decide on and use are the labels of the victims. The labels of the victims may be prostitute, runaway, drug user, promiscuous, and other negative labels that may lead to the prosecutor dropping the case. This could make those who live in poor neighborhoods or certain classes of people less likely to have their cases accepted. Prosecutors must look at the scripts given to them and decide accordingly. Stereotypes of rape victims play a key role for prosecutors. They are able to use these shortcuts to make the criminal justice system more efficient. With jails being overcrowded and funding being limited prosecutors may feel pressure to only prosecute serious cases that they are confident will result in a conviction. When the credibility of the victim is poor prosecutors must use their discretion on deciding of that will effect the jury on their decisions. It is important for prosecutors to maintain high conviction