U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

State Court Sentencing
of Convicted Felons, 1998
Statistical Tables
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/scscfst.htm
By
Matthew R. Durose
Statistician
Patrick A. Langan, Ph.D.
Statistician

December 2001, NCJ 190637

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons,
1998 -- Statistical tables

Felony sentences in State courts, 1998
Table 1.1 Estimated number of felony
convictions in State courts, 1998
Table 1.2 Type of felony sentences imposed by
State courts, by offense 1998
Table 1.3 Length of felony sentence imposed by
State courts, by offense and type of sentence,
1998
Table 1.4 Estimated percent of felons sentenced
to life in State prison, by offense, 1998
Table 1.5 Estimated time to be served in State
prison, by offense, 1998
Table 1.6 Number of offenses for felons
convicted and sentenced in State courts, by most
serious felony conviction offense, 1998
Table 1.7 Convicted felons sentenced to prison
by State courts, by number of conviction offenses,
1998
Table 1.8 Mean sentence lengths for State
felony sentences imposed, by the number and
category of the conviction offense, 1998
Table 1.9 Felons sentenced to an additional
penalty by State courts, by offense, 1998

Profile of felons convicted in State courts,
1998
Table 2.1 Demographic characteristics of
persons convicted of felonies by State courts, by
offense, 1998
Table 2.2 Gender, race, and age of felons
convicted in State courts, by offense, 1998
Table 2.3 Average age of convicted felons in
State courts, by offense, 1998
Table 2.4 Offense and gender of felons, by type of
sentence imposed, 1998
Table 2.5 Offense and race of felons, by type of
sentence imposed, 1998
Table 2.6 Mean length of felony State court
sentences imposed, by offense and gender of
felons, 1998
Table 2.7 Mean length of felony State court
sentences imposed, by offense and race of
felons, 1998
Table 2.8 Gender and race of felons sentenced to
incarceration or prison by State courts, by offense,
1998
Table 2.9 Gender and race of felons sentenced to
jail or probation by State courts, by offense, 1998
Table 2.10 Percent of convicted felons sentenced
by State courts to incarceration or prison, by
gender, race, and offense, 1998
Table 2.11 Percent of convicted felons sentenced
by State courts to jail or probation, by gender,
race, and offense, 1998
Table 2.12 Mean length of State felony sentences
to incarceration or prison, by gender and race of
felons, 1998
Table 2.13 Mean length of State felony sentences
to jail or probation, by gender and race of felons,
1998

Felons sentenced to probation in State courts,
1998
Table 3.1 Estimated number of felony convictions
in State courts, by whether sentenced to probation
and by offense, 1998
Table 3.2 Felony convictions in State courts, by
type of sentence to probation or incarceration and
offense, 1998
Table 3.3 Average probation sentence of felons
convicted in State courts, by offense, 1998
Table 3.4 Average State court sentence to
incarceration for felons rec sentences with or
without probation, by offense, 1998
Table 3.5 Percent of conviction offenses for felons
sentenced to probation in State courts, by offense,
1998

Felony case processing in State courts, 1998
Table 4.1 Number of felony convictions in State
courts, by offense and type of conviction, 1998
Table 4.2 Percent of felons convicted in State
courts, by offense and type of conviction, 1998
Table 4.3 Type of conviction of felons convicted in
State courts, by offense, 1998
Table 4.4 Offense of felons convicted in State
courts, by the type of conviction and type of
sentence imposed, 1998
Table 4.5 Average felony sentence length in State
courts, by the type of conviction, type of sentence
imposed, and offense, 1998
Table 4.6 Type of conviction in State courts, by
the type of sentence imposed on felons convicted
of murder or nonnegligent manslaughter, 1998

Table 3.6 Gender of felons receiving probation or
a sentence without probation in State courts, by
offense, 1998

Table 4.7 Type of conviction in State courts, by
number of felony conviction offenses, 1998

Table 3.7 Offense of felons receiving probation
or a sentence without probation in State courts, by
gender, 1998

Table 4.8 Percent of conviction offenses of felons
convicted in State courts, by type of conviction
and type of sentence imposed, 1998

Table 3.8 Offense of felons receiving probation or
a sentence without probation in State courts, by
race, 1998

Table 4.9 Time between arrest and conviction for
felony cases in State courts, by type of conviction,
1998

Table 3.9 Race of felons receiving probation or a
sentence without probation in State courts, by
offense, 1998

Table 4.10 Time between conviction and
sentencing for felony cases in State courts, by
type of conviction, 1998

Table 3.10 Average age of felons receiving
probation or a sentence without probation in State
courts, by offense, 1998

Table 4.11 Mean and median number of days
between arrest and sentencing for felony cases
disposed by State courts, 1998

Table 3.11 Felons sentenced to probation in State
courts, by offense and age at sentencing, 1998

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical Tables

Table 1.1. Estimated number of felony
convictions in State courts, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Felony convictions
in State courts
Number Percent
927,717

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Murder
Manslaughter
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Armed
Unarmed
Unspecified
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

164,584
9,158
6,944
2,127
29,693
11,622
18,071
38,784
11,977
10,358
16,450
71,060
15,889

17.8 %
1.0
0.7
0.2
3.2
1.3
1.9
4.2
1.3
1.1
1.8
7.7
1.7

Property offenses
Burglary
Residential
Nonresidential
Unspecified
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Other theft
Fraud /e
Fraud
Forgery

283,002
87,957
12,542
20,419
54,996
107,621
14,368
93,253
87,424
43,975
43,449

30.5 %
9.5
1.4
2.2
5.9
11.6
1.5
10.1
9.4
4.7
4.7

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking
Marijuana
Other
Unspecified

314,626
119,443
195,183
22,975
54,633
117,575

33.9 %
12.9
21.0
2.5
5.9
12.7

Weapon offenses

31,904

3.4 %

Other offenses /f

133,601

14.4 %

Note: Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
This table is based on an estimated 927,717 cases.
a/ Includes manslaughter, defined as nonnegligent
manslaughter only. A small number of cases
were classified as nonnegligent manslaughter when it
was unclear if the conviction offense
was murder or nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter
and kidnaping.
d/ In a small number of cases, the type of larceny vehicle theft versus other theft - was unknown.
They were classified as "other theft".
e/ Includes embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving
stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 1.2. Types of felony sentences imposed by State courts,
by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Total
Prison
Jail

Probation

100 %

68 %

44 %

24 %

32 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

78 %
96
82
84
80
88
72
67

59 %
94
67
70
64
76
46
41

19 %
2
15
14
16
12
26
26

22 %
4
18
16
20
12
28
33

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100
100

65 %
75
64
76
55

43 %
54
40
43
35

22 %
21
24
33
20

35 %
25
36
24
45

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

68 %
65
71

42 %
36
45

26 %
29
26

32 %
35
29

Weapon offenses

100 %

66 %

42 %

24 %

34 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

63 %

35 %

28 %

37 %

Note: For persons receiving a combination of sentences, the sentence designation
came from the most severe penalty imposed -- prison being the most severe,
followed by jail, then probation. Prison includes death sentences. Felons receiving
a sentence other than incarceration or probation are classified under "probation".
This table is based on an estimated 921,328 cases.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.3. Lengths of felony sentences imposed by
State courts, by offense and type of sentence, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Maximum sentence length (in
months) for felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Total
Prison
Jail
Probation

Mean
All offenses

39 mo

57 mo

6 mo

41 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

77 mo
258
94
125
74
94
44
37

100 mo
263
111
147
88
106
66
56

7 mo
11
8
8
8
10
6
6

52 mo
60
67
68
67
59
41
72

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

31 mo
39
25
22
27

44 mo
52
37
35
40

5 mo
6
5
5
4

39 mo
44
38
38
39

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

31 mo
21
37

47 mo
35
54

5 mo
4
6

38 mo
36
40

Weapon offenses

29 mo

42 mo

6 mo

35 mo

Other offenses /f

25 mo

40 mo

6 mo

40 mo

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.3. Lengths of felony sentences imposed by
State courts, by offense and type of sentence, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Maximum sentence length (in
months) for felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Total
Prison
Jail
Probation

Median
All offenses

18 mo

36 mo

4 mo

36 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

36 mo
288
60
72
48
60
24
16

60 mo
300
66
100
60
72
42
36

6 mo
8
6
6
6
9
4
4

36 mo
60
60
60
60
60
36
36

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

16 mo
24
12
12
12

30 mo
36
24
24
24

4 mo
4
4
4
3

36 mo
36
36
36
36

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

14 mo
12
19

36 mo
24
36

4 mo
3
4

36 mo
25
36

Weapon offenses

18 mo

30 mo

4 mo

30 mo

Other offenses /f

12 mo

27 mo

4 mo

36 mo

Note: See note on table 2.
Means exclude sentences to death or to life in prison.
This table is based on an estimated 921,328 cases.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and
kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.4. Estimated percent of felons sentenced
to life in State prison, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses
Murder
Sexual assault
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent
Burglary
Larceny
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud
Drug possession
Drug trafficking
Weapons
Other
--Less than 0.05%

Life sentences as a percent of -All
All prison
sentences
sentences
0.5 %
25.5
1.8
3.9
0.5
1.2
0.5
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.1
-0.2
0.1
0.2
0.1

1.1 %
27.4
2.7
5.5
0.7
1.6
1.1
0.6
0.5
0.2
0.2
-0.6
0.2
0.6
0.2

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.5. Estimated time to be served in State
prison, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Mean prison
sentence

To be served in
prison, estimated -Percent of
sentence /a
Time /b

57 mo

47 %

27 mo

100 mo
263
111
147
88
106
66
56

54 %
52
56
58
55
51
57
55

54 mo
136
62
81
45
54
38
31

Property Offenses
Burglary
Larceny /f
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /g

44 mo
52
37
35
40

45 %
45
45
43
42

20 mo
24
17
15
17

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking
Weapon offenses

47 mo
35
54
42 mo

41 %
40
41
60 %

19 mo
14
22
25 mo

Other offenses /h

40 mo

51 %

20 mo

Violent Offenses
Murder /c
Sexual assault /d
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /e

a/ Percentages are based on data from 237,443 persons released
from State prisons in 1998 (National Corrections Reporting Program,
1998 tables 2-8 and 2-12). These percentages included credited jail time.
b/ Derived by multiplying the percentage of sentence to be served by
the mean sentence imposed.
c/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
d/ Includes rape.
e/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
f/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
g/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
h/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.6. Number of offenses for felons convicted and
sentenced in 1998 in State courts, by most serious
felony conviction offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All Offenses

Total

Percent of convicted felons with -One
Two
Three or
felony
felony
more felony
conviction
convictions convictions

100 %

78 %

16 %

6 %

Violent Offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

72 %
60
69
68
74
82

20 %
25
21
20
19
15

8 %
15
10
12
7
3

Property Offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

74 %
63
86
71

18 %
25
12
19

8 %
12
2
10

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

80 %
89
74

16 %
10
20

4 %
1
6

Weapon offenses

100 %

79 %

16 %

5 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

91 %

8 %

1 %

Note: This table is based on an estimated 899,882 cases.
The number of convictions pertains to current, not past, convictions.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.7. Convicted felons sentenced to prison by State
courts, by number of conviction offenses, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All Offenses

Percent of felons sentenced to prison following -One
Two
Three or
felony
felony
more felony
Total
conviction
convictions
convictions
100 %

41 %

53 %

64 %

Violent Offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

54 %
94
61
71
42
41

68 %
96
76
83
55
43

81 %
96
84
91
66
61

Property Offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

39 %
49
38
32

50 %
59
46
41

59 %
69
53
48

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

40 %
36
43

47 %
38
50

57 %
45
59

Weapon offenses

100 %

40 %

50 %

54 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

34 %

45 %

51 %

Note: See note on table 2. This table is based on an estimated 893,536.
The number of convictions pertains to current, not past, convictions.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.8. Mean sentence lengths for State felony
sentences imposed, by the number and category
of the conviction offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses
Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

Mean maximum sentence length
(in months) for felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Total
Prison
Jail
Probation
34 mo
62 mo
219
73
74
39
35

51 mo

6 mo 40 mo

82 mo 7 mo 53 mo
223
13
59
88
8
68
84
11
61
61
6
41
51
6
83

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

28 mo
37
24
25

41 mo
51
35
37

6 mo 39 mo
6
43
6
37
5
38

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

29 mo
21
36

45 mo
34
53

5 mo 39 mo
4
36
6
41

Weapon offenses

26 mo

38 mo

6 mo 34 mo

Other offenses /f

25 mo

39 mo

6 mo 40 mo

57 mo

75 mo

5 mo 41 mo

Two or more
conviction offenses
All offenses
Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

115 mo
321
136
135
59
51

135 mo 6 mo 48 mo
327
10
63
151
7
68
144
8
53
77
5
44
77
7
33

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

38 mo
43
32
32

49 mo
53
45
44

5 mo 43 mo
6
45
5
42
4
42

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

38 mo
27
41

53 mo
40
56

5 mo 38 mo
4
36
5
39

Weapon offenses

39 mo

52 mo

7 mo 37 mo

Other offenses /f

30 mo

43 mo

6 mo 40 mo

Note: See notes on tables 2 and 3.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 1.9. Felons sentenced to an additional
penalty by State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Percent of felons with an additional penalty of -Community
Fine
Restitution Treatment
Service
Other
21 %

13 %

6 %

6 %

7 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

18 %
9
16
12
18
12
21
22

13 %
10
11
10
12
13
14
15

5 %
1
8
9
8
3
6
5

5 %
3
4
3
4
3
7
6

6 %
2
7
8
5
5
6
9

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

21 %
19
21
12
24

24 %
23
21
21
29

5 %
5
4
5
5

8 %
6
7
5
11

7 %
7
9
17
5

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

22 %
19
24

6 %
5
7

6 %
10
4

6 %
8
5

7 %
9
5

Weapon offenses

18 %

5 %

4 %

6 %

6 %

Other offenses /f

24 %

9 %

6 %

6 %

10 %

Note: Where the data indicated affirmatively that a particular additional penalty was
imposed, the case was coded accordingly. Where the data did not indicate affirmatively
or negatively, the case was treated as not having an additional penalty.
These procedures provide a conservative estimate of the prevalence of additional
penalties. A felon receiving more than one kind of additional penalty appears under
more than one table heading. This table is based on estimated 927,717 cases.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.1. Demographic characteristics of persons convicted
of felonies by State courts, by offense, 1998
Percent of convicted felons
Age at sentencing
Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Total

Gender
Male
Female White

Race
Black

Other

13-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60 or
older

100 %

83 %

17 %

55 %

44 %

1 %

9 %

39 %

32 %

16 %

3 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

90 %
92
97
98
96
92
86
89

10 %
8
3
2
4
8
14
11

53 %
42
69
67
70
35
56
67

44 %
57
26
32
23
64
41
32

3 %
1
5
1
7
1
3
1

12 %
12
7
6
7
22
9
9

41 %
49
34
36
34
47
40
39

28 %
21
31
32
30
22
30
28

13 %
12
16
16
16
8
15
17

4 %
4
8
7
8
1
4
5

2 %
2
4
3
5
-2
2

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100
100

75 %
92
76
91
58

25 %
8
24
9
42

60 %
64
57
69
62

38 %
35
41
27
37

2 %
1
2
4
1

10 %
17
10
18
4

40 %
43
39
48
39

32 %
27
31
26
36

14 %
11
16
7
16

3 % 1 %
2
-3
1
1
-4
1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

82 %
79
84

18 %
21
16

46 %
55
42

53 %
44
57

1 %
1
1

7 %
5
8

39 %
34
43

33 %
36
30

17 %
20
15

3 %
4
3

1 %
1
1

Weapon offenses

100 %

94 %

6 %

49 %

50 %

1 %

10 %

47 %

26 %

12 %

4 %

1 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

88 %

12 %

67 %

31 %

2 %

7 %

35 %

34 %

18 %

5 %

1 %

Note: Data on sex were available for 773,028 cases; on race, 647,483; and on age, 748,225.
--Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.2. Gender, race, and age of felons convicted in State courts, by offense, 1998
Percent of convicted felons
Age at sentencing
Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Total

Gender
Male
Female White

Race
Black

Other

13-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60 or
older

100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %

Violent offenses
18 %
Murder /a
1
Sexual assault /b
3
Rape
1
Other sexual assault 2
Robbery
4
Aggravated assault
8
Other violent /c
2

19 %
1
4
2
2
5
8
2

10 %
-1
--2
6
1

17 %
1
4
1
2
3
7
2

17 %
1
2
1
1
6
7
1

28 %
1
10
1
9
4
12
2

23 %
1
2
1
2
10
8
2

18 %
1
3
1
2
5
8
2

15 %
1
3
1
2
3
7
2

15 %
1
3
1
2
2
7
2

20 %
1
7
2
5
1
9
3

31 %
2
14
4
10
1
12
3

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

31 %
9
12
2
9

28 %
10
11
2
7

44 %
4
17
1
23

34 %
11
13
2
11

27 %
8
11
1
8

33 %
9
15
4
8

36 %
18
14
3
4

31 %
10
12
2
10

31 %
8
12
1
11

28 %
7
12
1
10

26 %
5
11
-10

19 %
3
9
-7

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 %
13
21

34 %
12
22

35 %
15
20

29 %
12
17

42 %
13
29

18 %
6
11

26 %
8
18

35 %
12
23

36 %
16
20

39 %
18
21

33 %
14
19

26 %
9
17

Weapon offenses

3 %

4 %

1 %

3 %

4 %

2 %

4 %

4 %

3 %

2 %

3 %

4 %

Other offenses /f

14 %

15 %

9 %

17 %

10 %

19 %

11 %

12 %

15 %

15 %

18 %

20 %

Note: See note on tables 1.1, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 2.3. Average age of convicted felons
in State courts, by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Average age in years
Mean
Median
31 yr

30 yr

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

31 yr
30
34
34
34
26
31
32

29 yr
26
32
32
33
24
30
30

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud/e

31 yr
28
31
27
32

29 yr
26
30
25
31

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

32 yr
33
31

31 yr
33
29

Weapon offenses

30 yr

27 yr

Other offenses/f

33 yr

32 yr

a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.4. Offense and gender of felons convicted in State courts,
by type of sentence imposed, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Nonincarceration
Prison
Jail
Total
Probation
Other

Male
All offenses

100 %

72 %

47 %

25 %

28 %

26 %

2 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

81 %
96
83
88
76
70

61 %
95
68
77
49
44

19 %
2
15
12
27
26

19 %
4
17
12
24
30

18 %
3
15
11
23
26

2 %
1
2
1
1
4

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

71 %
77
70
62

47 %
56
43
40

23 %
21
26
22

29 %
23
30
38

27 %
21
28
36

2 %
2
2
2

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

71 %
70
72

44 %
39
46

27 %
31
25

29 %
30
28

26 %
28
26

2 %
2
2

Weapon offenses

100 %

69 %

44 %

25 %

31 %

28 %

3 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

68 %

37 %

30 %

32 %

30 %

2 %

All offenses

100 %

57 %

33 %

24 %

43 %

40 %

2 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

63 %
91
76
81
57
51

41 %
87
58
63
30
32

23 %
4
18
18
27
20

37 %
9
24
19
43
49

34 %
9
22
18
41
42

2 %
-3
1
2
6

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

52 %
73
53
48

32 %
44
30
31

20 %
29
22
17

48 %
27
47
52

46 %
26
45
49

2 %
2
2
3

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

63 %
65
62

34 %
32
35

29 %
33
27

37 %
35
38

34 %
33
35

3 %
2
3

Weapon offenses

100 %

49 %

28 %

21 %

51 %

48 %

3 %

Other offenses/f

100 %

54 %

27 %

28 %

46 %

43 %

3 %

Female

Note: See note on tables 1.1, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.5. Offense and race of felons, by type of sentence imposed, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Nonincarceration
Prison
Jail
Total
Probation
Other

White
All offenses

100 %

67 %

42 %

25 %

33 %

31 %

3 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

76 %
94
81
87
71
66

54 %
92
67
73
41
37

22 %
2
14
15
30
29

24 %
6
19
13
29
34

21 %
6
17
12
27
30

2 %
-3
1
2
5

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

63 %
74
62
53

40 %
51
36
34

23 %
23
26
19

37 %
26
38
47

34 %
24
34
44

3 %
2
3
3

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

65 %
67
64

33 %
31
35

32 %
36
29

35 %
33
36

32 %
30
33

3 %
3
3

Weapon offenses

100 %

67 %

39 %

27 %

33 %

28 %

6 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

64 %

34 %

30 %

36 %

34 %

3 %

All offenses

100 %

73 %

55 %

18 %

27 %

26 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

81 %
96
84
87
74
64

67 %
95
75
77
54
47

13 %
1
9
10
19
17

19 %
3
16
13
26
36

18 %
3
14
12
25
31

1 %
1
2
-1
6

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

70 %
81
68
62

52 %
64
48
45

18 %
17
20
17

30 %
19
32
38

29 %
18
30
37

1 %
1
1
1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

73 %
72
74

51 %
47
52

23 %
25
21

27 %
28
26

24 %
25
24

2 %
2
2

Weapon offenses

100 %

70 %

51 %

19 %

30 %

28 %

2 %

Other offenses/f

100 %

69 %

44 %

25 %

31 %

29 %

2 %

Black

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.6. Mean length of felony State court sentences
imposed, by offense and gender of felons,1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Maximum sentence length (in
months) for felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Prison
Jail

Probation

Male
All offenses

40 mo

57 mo

6 mo

40 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravted assault
Other violent /c

78 mo
270
92
93
45
34

100 mo
275
109
105
66
51

7 mo
11
8
11
6
6

50 mo
57
73
62
42
38

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

31 mo
39
25
28

44 mo
51
37
40

6 mo
6
6
5

39 mo
43
36
38

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

31 mo
21
37

46 mo
34
53

6 mo
4
6

37 mo
33
40

Weapon offenses

28 mo

40 mo

6 mo

34 mo

Other offenses/f

24 mo

37 mo

6 mo

40 mo

All offenses

28 mo

44 mo

5 mo

39 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravted assault
Other violent /c

51 mo
189
53
57
35
51

76 mo
199
69
69
60
79

6 mo
13
6
10
5
5

44 mo
70
57
60
43
33

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

25 mo
28
22
26

37 mo
44
35
37

4 mo
5
5
4

39 mo
42
38
39

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

26 mo
19
31

43 mo
34
49

5 mo
4
6

39 mo
38
39

Weapon offenses

32 mo

51 mo

5 mo

32 mo

Other offenses/f

21 mo

36 mo

4 mo

34 mo

Female

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of roundng.
Some estimates in this table as based on as few as 1 case and are therfore unreliable.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.7. Mean length of felony State court sentence
imposed, by offense and race of felons, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Maximum sentence length (in
months) for felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Prison
Jail

Probation

White
All offenses

35 mo

54 mo

5 mo

39 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

70 mo
277
92
79
41
33

96 mo
283
109
92
67
54

6 mo
10
7
9
5
6

49 mo
57
78
51
42
39

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

29 mo
36
24
26

42 mo
49
37
38

5 mo
6
5
4

40 mo
45
37
40

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

26 mo
18
32

46 mo
34
54

4 mo
4
5

34 mo
32
36

Weapon offenses

26 mo

40 mo

5 mo

37 mo

Other offenses /f

24 mo

38 mo

5 mo

41 mo

All offenses

45 mo

59 mo

7 mo

39 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

97 mo
269
117
109
55
39

114 mo
274
129
119
72
51

9 mo
14
9
13
7
7

50 mo
67
60
67
44
34

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

34 mo
47
27
30

44 mo
57
36
40

6 mo
7
7
4

39 mo
43
39
38

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 mo
24
39

46 mo
33
52

6 mo
5
7

36 mo
37
36

Weapon offenses

33 mo

42 mo

8 mo

33 mo

Other offenses /f

25 mo

35 mo

6 mo

38 mo

Black

Note: Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.8. Gender and race of felons sentenced to incarceration
or prison by State courts, by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of convictions
Gender
Race
Male
Female
White
Black

Total

Incarceration
All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

20 %
1
4
5
8
2

22 %
1
4
6
8
2

11 %
1
1
3
6
1

19 %
1
5
4
8
2

19 %
2
2
8
7
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

29 %
10
11
8

27 %
11
10
6

40 %
5
15
19

33 %
13
12
9

26 %
9
11
7

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 %
12
22

34 %
12
21

39 %
17
22

29 %
13
16

42 %
13
29

Weapon offenses

3 %

4 %

1 %

3 %

4 %

Other offenses /f

13 %

14 %

9 %

16 %

9 %

All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

24 %
2
5
7
8
2

25 %
2
5
8
8
2

13 %
1
1
4
6
1

23 %
2
6
5
8
2

22 %
2
3
9
7
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

30 %
12
10
8

28 %
12
10
6

42 %
5
16
22

35 %
14
12
9

27 %
9
10
7

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

32 %
10
22

31 %
10
21

36 %
15
22

25 %
10
15

40 %
11
29

Weapon offenses

3 %

4 %

1 %

3 %

4 %

Other offenses /f

11 %

12 %

8 %

14 %

8 %

Prison

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.9. Gender and race of felons sentenced to jail or
probation by State courts, by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of convictions
Gender
Race
Male
Female
White
Black

Total

Jail
All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

14 %
-2
2
8
2

24 %
-4
4
14
3

17 %
-1
2
12
2

21 %
-3
2
12
4

22 %
-2
6
12
2

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

28 %
8
12
8

41 %
14
18
9

63 %
8
27
28

46 %
15
19
12

47 %
12
22
13

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

38 %
15
22

60 %
25
35

74 %
36
38

54 %
26
28

91 %
31
60

Weapon offenses

3 %

6 %

2 %

4 %

7 %

Other offenses /f

17 %

29 %

18 %

28 %

24 %

All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

12 %
-2
2
7
2

21 %
-4
3
11
3

9 %
--1
6
1

12 %
-2
1
6
2

13 %
-1
3
7
2

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

34 %
7
13
13

45 %
13
18
14

49 %
3
19
28

37 %
9
14
15

30 %
6
13
12

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 %
14
20

55 %
21
34

31 %
13
18

30 %
12
18

42 %
13
29

Weapon offenses

4 %

7 %

1 %

3 %

4 %

Other offenses /f

16 %

27 %

10 %

18 %

11 %

Probation

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
-- Less than 0.5%.
Some estimates in this table are based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.10. Percent of convicted felons sentenced
by State courts to incarceration or prison, by
gender, race, and offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent receiving designated sentence
White
Black
Male
Female
Male
Female

Sentenced to incarceration
All offenses

69 %

55 %

76 %

61 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

77 %
94
81
88
73
67

64 %
91
77
78
60
48

82 %
94
84
87
78
64

61 %
86
46
82
52
53

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

68 %
74
66
59

50 %
71
50
46

76 %
82
75
68

57 %
76
54
58

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

67 %
68
66

60 %
64
57

74 %
74
74

68 %
68
68

Weapon offenses

68 %

47 %

72 %

51 %

Other offenses/f

64 %

53 %

69 %

58 %

All offenses

42 %

29 %

56 %

40 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

55 %
92
67
74
43
38

38 %
89
59
61
28
27

70 %
93
75
78
59
48

42 %
83
36
63
33
32

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

44 %
51
40
39

29 %
43
25
28

57 %
67
54
50

40 %
45
37
42

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

35 %
33
36

27 %
26
29

52 %
49
53

42 %
39
43

Weapon offenses

40 %

28 %

53 %

27 %

Other offenses/f

35 %

25 %

45 %

32 %

Sentenced to prison

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.11. Percent of convicted felons sentenced by State courts
to jail or probation, by gender, race, and offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent receiving designated sentence
White
Black
Male
Female
Male
Female

Sentenced to jail
All offenses

27 %

26 %

20 %

21 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

22 %
2
14
14
30
29

25 %
3
17
17
31
21

13 %
1
9
9
19
16

19 %
3
9
18
20
21

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

24 %
23
26
21

21 %
28
26
17

18 %
16
21
18

17 %
31
17
16

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

32 %
35
29

33 %
37
28

22 %
25
21

26 %
28
24

Weapon offenses

28 %

19 %

19 %

24 %

Other offenses/f

30 %

28 %

24 %

26 %

All offenses

31 %

44 %

24 %

38 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

22 %
6
19
12
27
32

36 %
9
21
22
40
52

17 %
3
15
12
22
35

39 %
12
54
18
47
44

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

32 %
25
34
40

50 %
29
50
54

24 %
18
25
32

43 %
24
46
42

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

33 %
31
34

39 %
35
43

25 %
26
25

32 %
32
32

Weapon offenses

32 %

53 %

28 %

49 %

Other offenses/f

34 %

46 %

28 %

38 %

Sentenced to probation

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.12. Mean length of State felony sentences to incarceration
or prison, by gender and race of felons, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Male

Mean sentence length (in months)
for persons who were -White
Black
Female
Male
Female

Sentenced to incarceration
All offenses

36 mo

24 mo

46 mo

31 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

71 mo
278
93
81
41
34

54 mo
288
46
55
41
29

100 mo
284
119
110
58
36

47 mo
128
33
57
33
41

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

30 mo
35
25
28

22 mo
25
19
23

36 mo
47
28
29

28 mo
36
25
30

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

27 mo
19
33

20 mo
15
25

34 mo
24
39

31 mo
23
35

Weapon offenses

26 mo

29 mo

34 mo

30 mo

Other offenses/f

24 mo

19 mo

25 mo

19 mo

All offenses

56 mo

42 mo

60 mo

43 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

96 mo
284
109
94
65
55

85 mo
298
59
67
81
48

116 mo
288
131
120
75
45

64 mo
133
40
68
49
65

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

43 mo
48
37
40

35 mo
38
34
34

45 mo
56
36
38

38 mo
58
33
40

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

47 mo
34
56

39 mo
31
45

46 mo
33
51

45 mo
34
50

Weapon offenses

40 mo

46 mo

42 mo

49 mo

Other offenses/f

38 mo

34 mo

35 mo

30 mo

Sentenced to prison

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 2.13 Mean length of State felony sentences to jail
or probation, by gender and race of felons, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Male

Mean sentence length (in months)
for persons who were -White
Black
Female
Male
Female

Sentenced to jail
All offenses

5 mo

4 mo

7 mo

6 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

6 mo
8
8
9
5
7

5 mo
28
5
8
4
5

9 mo
15
9
13
7
7

8 mo
7
3
13
7
6

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

5 mo
6
5
4

4 mo
5
4
4

6 mo
7
7
5

5 mo
5
6
4

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

4 mo
4
5

4 mo
4
5

7 mo
5
7

6 mo
5
7

Weapon offenses

5 mo

4 mo

9 mo

7 mo

Other offenses/f

5 mo

4 mo

6 mo

5 mo

All offenses

40 mo

38 mo

39 mo

40 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

50 mo
56
79
52
41
40

45 mo
64
61
44
47
32

51 mo
67
61
67
45
34

47 mo
74
50
76
44
36

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

39 mo
45
36
38

41 mo
45
38
41

40 mo
43
39
40

39 mo
35
40
38

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 mo
32
35

35 mo
31
37

35 mo
33
36

41 mo
54
35

Weapon offenses

38 mo

36 mo

34 mo

33 mo

Other offenses/f

42 mo

35 mo

40 mo

32 mo

Sentenced to probation

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 3.1. Estimated number of felony convictions in State courts,
by whether sentenced to probation and by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Sentence type within offense
No
Total
Probation probation

Offense within sentence type
No
Total
Probation probation

All offenses

100 %

57 %

43 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

47 %
13
48
32
57
55

53 %
87
52
68
43
45

18 %
1
3
4
8
2

15 %
-3
2
8
2

22 %
2
4
7
8
2

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

100 %
100
100
100

62 %
55
60
71

38 %
45
40
29

30 %
9
12
9

33 %
9
12
12

27 %
10
11
6

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

57 %
62
54

43 %
38
46

34 %
13
21

34 %
14
20

34 %
11
23

Weapon offenses

100 %

55 %

45 %

3 %

3 %

4 %

Other offenses/f

100 %

60 %

40 %

14 %

15 %

13 %

Note: Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
This table is based on an estimated 926,537 cases.
In this table persons are counted as probation cases so long as their sentences included
probation and without regard to whether a term of incarceration was also included.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 3.2. Felony convictions in State courts, by type
of sentence to probation or incarceration and offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of felony convictions by type of -Probation sentence
Nonprobation sentence
Straight
Split sentence
No
Incarceration
probation Total
Prison
Jail
incarcerat Total
Prison
Jail

All offenses

30 %

28 %

13 %

15 %

2 %

40 %

31 %

9 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

20 %
3
16
12
27
28

27 %
10
32
21
31
27

14 %
9
21
14
14
10

13 %
1
11
7
17
17

2 %
1
2
1
2
5

51 %
86
50
67
41
40

44 %
86
46
62
32
31

7 %
1
4
5
9
8

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

33 %
23
34
43

29 %
31
27
28

15 %
17
12
15

14 %
15
14
13

2 %
2
2
2

36 %
44
37
27

28 %
37
27
20

8 %
6
10
7

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

29 %
33
27

28 %
29
27

13 %
12
13

15 %
17
14

2 %
2
2

41 %
35
44

29 %
24
32

11 %
12
11

Weapon offenses

31 %

25 %

11 %

14 %

3 %

41 %

31 %

10 %

Other offenses/f

34 %

27 %

9 %

18 %

2 %

36 %

26 %

11 %

Note: See note on table 3.1.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.3. Average probation sentence of felons
convicted in State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Probation sentence (in months) in case of -Straight
Split sentence
probation
Total
Prison

Jail

Mean sentence
All offenses

41 mo

40 mo

42 mo

47 mo

37 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

52 mo
74
77
55
45
38

47 mo
60
67
59
41
39

55 mo
79
82
52
48
37

68 mo
81
94
56
61
39

42 mo
61
59
44
38
36

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

40 mo
44
38
39

39 mo
44
38
39

41 mo
44
39
38

45 mo
48
46
41

36 mo
40
33
36

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

38 mo
35
40

38 mo
36
40

37 mo
33
39

38 mo
36
39

35 mo
31
39

Weapon offenses

36 mo

35 mo

38 mo

44 mo

34 mo

Other offenses/f

41 mo

40 mo

41 mo

43 mo

40 mo

Table 3.3. Average probation sentence of felons
convicted in State courts, by offense, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Probation sentence (in months) in case of -Straight
Split sentence
probation
Total
Prison

Jail

Median sentence
All offenses

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

36 mo
60
60
48
36
36

36 mo
60
60
60
36
36

36 mo
60
60
36
36
36

48 mo
60
60
36
36
36

36 mo
60
60
36
36
36

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

36 mo
36
36
36

36 mo
36
36
36

36 mo
36
36
36

36 mo
36
36
36

36 mo
36
36
36

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

36 mo
36
36

36 mo
25
36

36 mo
36
36

36 mo
30
36

36 mo
36
36

Weapon offenses

36 mo

30 mo

36 mo

24 mo

36 mo

Other offenses/f

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

36 mo

Note: See note on table 3.1.
Means exclude sentences to death or to life in prison.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and
vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 3.4. Average State court sentence to incarceration for felons
receiving sentences with or without probation, by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Maximum incarceration sentence length (in months) for -Split sentence
Incarceration without probation
Total
Prison
Jail
Total
Prison
Jail

Mean sentence
All offenses

23 mo

42 mo

5 mo

50 mo

64 mo

7 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

38 mo
127
54
62
23
22

65 mo
138
74
82
46
48

6 mo
10
6
8
5
6

98 mo
278
118
104
60
47

112 mo
282
129
112
75
58

9 mo
12
10
13
8
7

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

21 mo
25
17
20

35 mo
41
31
33

4 mo
5
4
3

38 mo
49
30
35

48 mo
57
39
45

7 mo
8
7
6

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

20 mo
16
23

38 mo
32
41

5 mo
4
5

39 mo
26
45

51 mo
36
58

6 mo
5
7

Weapon offenses

19 mo

35 mo

6 mo

35 mo

44 mo

7 mo

Other offenses/f

15 mo

32 mo

4 mo

32 mo

43 mo

8 mo

Median sentence
All offenses

8 mo

24 mo

3 mo

26 mo

36 mo

6 mo

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

12 mo
84
24
24
9
8

38 mo
96
51
60
30
24

4 mo
8
6
6
4
4

60 mo
324
72
72
36
24

67 mo
336
83
72
48
36

6 mo
8
9
12
6
6

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

9 mo
10
8
8

24 mo
24
24
24

3 mo
4
3
3

24 mo
36
21
24

36 mo
41
24
36

6 mo
6
6
5

8 mo
6
8

24 mo
24
24

3 mo
3
4

24 mo
16
32

36 mo
24
42

6 mo
4
6

12 mo

24 mo

4 mo

24 mo

35 mo

6 mo

6 mo

20 mo

3 mo

23 mo

36 mo

6 mo

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking
Weapon offenses
Other offenses/f

Note: See note on table 3.1.
Means exclude sentences to death or life in prison.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.5. Number of conviction offenses for felons
sentenced to probation in State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Percent of felons sentenced to probation
when their conviction offenses numbered -One or
Three
more
One
Two
or more
57 %

58 %

56 %

53 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

47 %
13
48
32
58
54

49 %
14
51
33
59
53

45 %
12
44
32
56
62

37 %
12
35
29
50
50

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

62 %
55
60
71

62 %
54
60
72

61 %
55
59
69

63 %
59
59
68

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

57 %
62
53

57 %
61
53

58 %
65
55

53 %
60
52

Weapon offenses

55 %

56 %

55 %

53 %

Other offenses/f

61 %

61 %

60 %

58 %

Note: See note on table 3.1.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.6. Gender of felons receiving probation or a sentence without
probation in State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Percent of sentences
to probation
All
Male
Female

Percent of sentences
without probation
All
Male
Female

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

15 %
-3
2
8
2

16 %
-3
3
8
2

9 %
-1
1
6
1

22 %
2
4
7
8
2

23 %
2
4
7
8
2

12 %
1
1
3
6
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

33 %
9
12
12

29 %
10
11
8

46 %
4
17
26

27 %
10
11
6

26 %
11
10
5

38 %
5
17
17

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 %
14
21

35 %
14
21

33 %
15
18

34 %
12
22

33 %
11
22

40 %
16
24

Weapon offenses

3 %

4 %

1 %

4 %

4 %

1 %

Other offenses/f

15 %

16 %

10 %

13 %

14 %

9 %

Note: See note on tables 2.1 and 3.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.7. Offense of felons receiving probation or a sentence
without probation in State courts, by gender, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Percent of sentences
to probation
All
Male
Female

Percent of sentences
without probation
All
Male
Female

100 %

79 %

21 %

100 %

88 %

12 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

87 %
83
96
88
83
87

13 %
17
4
12
17
13

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

93 %
93
98
94
90
90

7 %
7
2
6
10
10

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

100 %
100
100
100

70 %
91
72
54

30 %
9
28
46

100 %
100
100
100

83 %
94
81
68

17 %
6
19
32

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

80 %
77
81

20 %
23
19

100 %
100
100

86 %
83
87

14 %
17
13

Weapon offenses

100 %

92 %

8 %

100 %

96 %

4 %

Other offenses/f

100 %

87 %

13 %

100 %

91 %

9 %

Note: See note on tables 2.1 and 3.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 3.8. Offense of felons receiving probation or a sentence
without probation in State courts, by race, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of sentences to probation
All
White Black
Other

Percent of sentences without probation
All
White
Black
Other

All offenses

100 %

58 %

40 %

2 %

100 %

51 %

49 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

58 %
59
70
37
58
69

38 %
39
21
62
38
29

4 %
2
9
2
3
2

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

49 %
39
67
34
53
64

50 %
60
31
65
45
36

1 %
1
1
1
2
--

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

100 %
100
100
100

62 %
66
58
62

36 %
32
39
37

2 %
2
3
2

100 %
100
100
100

58 %
61
55
60

41 %
38
44
39

1 %
1
1
1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

51 %
56
47

48 %
43
52

1 %
1
1

100 %
100
100

41 %
52
35

59 %
47
65

-- %
---

Weapon offenses

100 %

50 %

48 %

1 %

100 %

47 %

52 %

1 %

Other offenses/f

100 %

69 %

29 %

3 %

100 %

63 %

35 %

2 %

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 3.9. Race of felons receiving probation or a sentence
without probation in State courts, by offense, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of sentences to probation
All
White
Black
Other

Percent of sentences without probation
All
White
Black
Other

All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

14 %
-3
3
7
2

14 %
-3
2
7
2

14 %
-1
4
7
1

27 %
-11
2
12
2

21 %
2
4
7
7
2

20 %
2
5
5
7
2

21 %
2
2
9
6
1

30 %
3
5
8
13
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

34 %
9
13
12

36 %
11
13
13

30 %
7
12
11

34 %
8
16
9

28 %
10
11
7

32 %
12
12
8

23 %
8
10
5

29 %
12
13
5

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

35 %
13
21

30 %
13
17

42 %
14
28

18 %
6
12

35 %
12
23

28 %
12
16

42 %
11
31

16 %
6
11

3 %

3 %

4 %

2 %

3 %

3 %

4 %

3 %

14 %

17 %

10 %

19 %

13 %

16 %

9 %

21 %

Weapon offenses
Other offenses/f

Note: See note on tables 2.1 and 3.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Racial categories include Hispanics.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.10. Average age of felons receiving probation or
a sentence without probation in State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Probation
Mean
Median

Sentence
without probation
Mean
Median

31 yr

29 yr

32 yr

31 yr

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

31 yr
31
33
26
32
32

29 yr
29
30
22
30
31

30 yr
29
35
27
31
31

28 yr
26
34
25
29
30

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

30 yr
27
30
32

28 yr
23
28
31

32 yr
30
32
33

31 yr
29
32
32

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

31 yr
32
31

30 yr
32
29

32 yr
34
31

32 yr
34
30

Weapon offenses

30 yr

27 yr

30 yr

28 yr

Other offenses/f

32 yr

32 yr

33 yr

33 yr

Note: See note on tables 2.1 and 3.1.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 3.11. Felons sentenced to probation in State
courts, by offense and age at sentencing, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Percent of felons age group who
received a probation sentence
Under 20 20-29
30-39
40 or older
66 %

59 %

55 %

56 %

Violent offenses
Murder/a
Sexual assault/b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent/c

48 %
17
67
41
57
49

46 %
9
53
31
57
54

47 %
19
45
28
57
53

50 %
14
42
29
62
55

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny/d
Fraud/e

74 %
72
73
82

65 %
57
64
74

57 %
44
54
69

57 %
45
53
70

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

68 %
72
67

59 %
64
57

55 %
59
52

56 %
57
56

Weapon offenses

64 %

55 %

53 %

58 %

Other offenses/f

72 %

61 %

58 %

60 %

Note: See note on tables 2.1 and 3.1.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c /Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.1. Number of felony convictions in State courts,
by offense and type of conviction, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Total

Number of felons convicted by -Trial
Total
Jury
Bench Guilty plea

927,717 55,711 30,482 25,229

872,001

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

164,584 21,462 15,515
9,158
4,098
3,471
29,693
4,121
3,214
11,622
2,352
1,874
18,071
1,784
1,351
38,784
4,679
3,191
71,060
7,377
4,898
15,889
1,187
740

5,947
626
907
478
434
1,487
2,479
448

143,119
5,059
25,572
9,271
16,285
34,104
63,683
14,702

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

283,002 11,598
87,957
3,389
107,621
5,052
14,368
439
87,424
3,157

4,609
1,902
1,743
169
964

6,990
1,487
3,309
270
2,193

271,402
84,568
102,569
13,927
84,265

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

314,626 15,164
119,443
5,410
195,183
9,754

6,365
1,628
4,738

8,799
3,782
5,017

299,462
114,035
185,427

Weapon offenses

31,904

2,233

1,135

1,098

29,671

Other offenses /f

133,601

5,254

2,857

2,396

128,347

Note: Detail may not add to the total because of rounding.
This table is based on an estimated 598,996 cases. However, figures
are adjusted for cases missing a designation of conviction type.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.2. Percent of felons convicted in State courts,
by offense and type of conviction, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense
All offenses

Total

Percent of felons convicted by -Trial
Total
Jury
Bench

Guilty plea

100 %

6 %

3 %

3 %

94 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

13 %
45
14
20
10
12
10
7

9 %
38
11
16
8
8
7
5

4 %
7
3
4
2
4
3
2

87 %
55
86
80
90
88
90
93

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100
100

4 %
4
5
3
4

2 %
2
2
1
1

2 %
2
3
2
3

96 %
96
95
97
96

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

5 %
5
5

2 %
2
2

3 %
3
3

95 %
95
95

Weapon offenses

100 %

7 %

4 %

3 %

93 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

4 %

2 %

2 %

96 %

Note: Detail may not add to the total because of rounding.
This table is based on an estimated 598,996 cases. However, figures
are adjusted for cases missing a designation of conviction type.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.3. Type of conviction of felons convicted in
State courts, by offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Percent convicted by -Trial
Total
Jury
Bench

Guilty plea

All offenses

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

100 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

18 %
1
3
4
8
2

39 %
7
7
8
13
2

51 %
11
11
10
16
2

24 %
2
4
6
10
2

16 %
1
3
4
7
2

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

31 %
9
12
9

21 %
6
9
6

15 %
6
6
3

28 %
6
13
9

31 %
10
12
10

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

34 %
13
21

27 %
10
18

21 %
5
16

35 %
15
20

34 %
13
21

3 %

4 %

4 %

4 %

3 %

14 %

9 %

9 %

9 %

15 %

Weapons offenses
Other offenses /f

Note: See note on tables 1.1 and 4.1.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 4.4. Offense of felons convicted in State courts, by the type of conviction
and type of sentence imposed, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Nonincarceration
Prison
Jail
Total
Probation Other

Trial
All offenses

100 %

88 %

76 %

12 %

12 %

11 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

94 %
99
95
97
90
84

86 %
98
89
91
78
70

8 %
1
6
6
12
14

6 %
1
5
3
10
16

5 %
1
5
3
9
15

1 %
-1
-1
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

85 %
89
86
78

73 %
79
73
65

12 %
10
13
12

15 %
11
14
22

14 %
10
13
21

1 %
1
1
1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

84 %
80
86

72 %
63
77

12 %
17
9

16 %
20
13

15 %
19
13

1 %
2
1

Weapon offenses

100 %

77 %

65 %

13 %

23 %

21 %

2 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

83 %

59 %

24 %

17 %

15 %

2 %

All offenses

100 %

91 %

81 %

11 %

9 %

8 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

95 %
99
97
98
92
81

90 %
98
93
95
79
70

6 %
1
4
3
13
10

5 %
1
3
2
8
19

4 %
1
3
2
7
18

-- %
---1
1

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

85 %
92
86
75

70 %
85
64
54

16 %
6
22
22

15 %
9
14
25

14 %
9
13
24

1 %
-1
1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

89 %
84
91

78 %
60
84

12 %
24
7

11 %
16
9

10 %
15
8

1 %
1
--

Weapon offenses

100 %

81 %

68 %

13 %

19 %

16 %

3 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

87 %

61 %

26 %

13 %

12 %

1 %

All offenses

100 %

84 %

72 %

11 %

16 %

16 %

1 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

92 %
99
96
95
87
92

83 %
98
89
86
76
69

10 %
1
7
9
11
23

8 %
2
4
5
13
9

7 %
1
4
5
12
9

-- %
1
--1
--

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

85 %
88
89
77

76 %
77
79
70

9 %
11
10
7

15 %
12
11
23

15 %
12
11
21

1 %
--1

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

80 %
79
80

66 %
60
71

13 %
19
9

20 %
21
20

20 %
21
20

-- %
1
--

Jury

Bench

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.4. Offense of felons convicted in State courts, by the type of conviction
and type of sentence imposed, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Total

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Nonincarceration
Prison
Jail
Total
Probation Other

Weapon offenses

100 %

72 %

60 %

12 %

28 %

27 %

1 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

79 %

64 %

15 %

21 %

20 %

1 %

All offenses

100 %

63 %

41 %

23 %

37 %

34 %

2 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

73 %
95
77
85
66
60

53 %
94
62
72
40
36

20 %
2
15
13
26
24

27 %
5
23
15
34
40

25 %
4
21
14
32
32

2 %
-2
1
2
8

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

61 %
72
59
53

40 %
52
35
36

21 %
20
25
17

39 %
28
41
47

37 %
26
38
45

2 %
2
3
2

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

63 %
58
66

40 %
35
43

23 %
23
23

37 %
42
34

34 %
39
32

2 %
3
2

Weapon offenses

100 %

60 %

37 %

23 %

40 %

36 %

4 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

60 %

31 %

29 %

40 %

38 %

2 %

Guilty plea

Note: See note on tables 1.1 and 1.2.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
Some estimates in this table as based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
-- Less than 0.5%.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 4.5. Average felony sentence length in State courts, by the type
of conviction, type of sentence imposed, and offense, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Total
Mean Median

Maximum sentence length (in months) for convictions by -Trial
Total
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea
Mean
Median Mean
Median
Mean
Median Mean
Median

Sentences to prison
All offenses

59 mo 36 mo

116 mo

61 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

108 mo 60 mo
273
300
119
72
112
72
71
48
64
36

194 mo
368
213
188
117
117

144 mo
600
180
132
72
60

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

46 mo 32 mo
54
36
40
24
41
24

65 mo
89
51
60

44 mo
64
36
42

83 mo
91
71
85

60 mo
84
36
48

60 mo
105
45
54

36 mo
72
36
36

44 mo
52
39
40

30 mo
36
24
24

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

48 mo 36 mo
36
24
54
36

73 mo
44
85

60 mo
36
60

94 mo
59
101

72 mo
60
84

64 mo
42
78

48 mo
24
60

46 mo
35
51

36 mo
24
36

Weapon offenses

44 mo 36 mo

60 mo

48 mo

61 mo

48 mo

64 mo

48 mo

42 mo

30 mo

Other offenses /f

40 mo 30 mo

52 mo

36 mo

67 mo

49 mo

39 mo

24 mo

39 mo

30 mo

4 mo

8 mo

6 mo

6 mo

5 mo

11 mo

8 mo

6 mo

4 mo

7 mo 6 mo
14
10
8
6
11
9
6
4
7
5

9 mo
14
7
15
8
7

6 mo
10
3
12
6
3

8 mo
9
7
14
7
7

6 mo
8
4
10
6
6

14 mo
29
8
21
14
7

12 mo
30
4
23
12
3

7 mo
14
8
11
6
8

6 mo
10
6
9
4
6

155 mo

120 mo

218 mo 180 mo
390
**
218
180
194
156
135
96
150
75

89 mo

60 mo

178 mo 120 mo
318
360
213
120
216
144
107
72
75
60

53 mo

36 mo

90 mo
60 mo
214
240
99
60
100
72
61
44
56
36

Sentences to jail
All offenses
Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

6 mo

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

6 mo
7
6
5

4 mo
4
4
3

6 mo
7
6
6

4 mo
6
4
5

5 mo
4
4
6

4 mo
2
2
6

9 mo
13
8
6

8 mo
12
6
4

6 mo
7
6
5

4 mo
4
4
3

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

6 mo
4
7

4 mo
3
4

9 mo
4
13

6 mo
3
12

6 mo
4
8

3 mo
3
6

10 mo
4
17

6 mo
3
18

6 mo
4
7

4 mo
3
4

Weapon offenses

7 mo

5 mo

10 mo

9 mo

6 mo

4 mo

15 mo

12 mo

7 mo

5 mo

Other offenses /f

6 mo

4 mo

8 mo

6 mo

6 mo

6 mo

13 mo

12 mo

6 mo

4 mo

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.5. Average felony sentence length in State courts, by the type
of conviction, type of sentence imposed, and offense, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Total
Mean Median

Maximum sentence length (in months) for convictions by -Trial
Total
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea
Mean
Median Mean
Median
Mean
Median Mean
Median

Sentences to probation
All offenses

39 mo 36 mo

39 mo

36 mo

39 mo

36 mo

39 mo

30 mo

39 mo

36 mo

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

46 mo 36 mo
61
60
71
60
51
48
40
36
38
36

53 mo
44
66
49
46
75

36 mo
36
36
48
36
60

52 mo
53
48
43
40
86

36 mo
60
36
36
36
120

52 mo
36
51
53
53
42

36 mo
36
48
60
36
30

46 mo
62
71
51
40
37

36 mo
60
60
48
36
36

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

38 mo 36 mo
43
36
36
36
38
36

37 mo
37
39
36

36 mo
36
36
36

36 mo
29
44
34

36 mo
24
48
36

37 mo
36
38
37

36 mo
36
36
36

38 mo
43
36
38

36 mo
36
36
36

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

38 mo 36 mo
35
24
41
36

40 mo
32
47

30 mo
24
30

39 mo
36
40

36 mo
36
36

41 mo
28
51

24 mo
24
24

38 mo
35
40

36 mo
24
36

Weapon offenses

33 mo 24 mo

27 mo

24 mo

26 mo

24 mo

26 mo

24 mo

33 mo

24 mo

Other offenses /f

39 mo 36 mo

31 mo

24 mo

31 mo

24 mo

31 mo

24 mo

40 mo

36 mo

Note: See note on tables 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.
** Because the median includes felons sentenced to life in prison, the median sentence to prison is greater than 50 years.
Some estimates in this table as based on as few as 1 case and are therefore unreliable.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.6. Type of conviction in State courts, by the
type of sentence imposed on felons convicted
of murder or nonnegligent manslaughter, 1998

Type of conviction
Total
Trial
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea

Total

Type of sentence for murder or
nonnegligent manslaughter
Life
Death
Other*

100 %

26 %

1 %

73 %

100
100
100
100

38
40
16
16

2
3
0
1

60
57
84
83

Note: Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
*Includes sentences to incarceration or probation.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.7. Type of conviction in State courts,
by number of felony conviction offenses, 1998

Type of conviction
Total
Trial
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea

Percent convicted of -One
Two or more
Total
offense
offenses
100 %

77 %

23 %

100
100
100
100

71
66
78
78

29
34
22
22

Note: See note on table 1.6.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.8. Percent of conviction offenses of felons convicted in State courts,
by type of conviction and type of sentences imposed, 1998

Type of
conviction

Total

Total

Percent of felons sentenced to -Incarceration
Nonincarceration
Prison
Jail
Total
Probation Other

Convicted of
one offense
Total
Trial
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea

100 %

63 %

39 %

24 %

37 %

35 %

2 %

100
100
100
100

86
90
84
62

73
76
71
38

13
14
13
24

14
10
16
38

13
10
16
36

1
1
0
3

100 %

71 %

55 %

17 %

29 %

27 %

1 %

100
100
100
100

91
94
84
70

85
89
78
52

6
5
6
18

9
6
16
30

8
5
15
29

1
1
1
2

Convicted of
multiple offenses
Total
Trial
Jury
Bench
Guilty plea

Note: See note on tables 1.2 and 1.6.
Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.9. Time between arrest and conviction for
felony cases in State courts, by type of conviction, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Time between arrest and conviction
Median
Cumulative percent of
number
felons convicted within:
of days
1 month
6 months
1 year

Total
All offenses

130 days

16 %

67 %

89 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

160 days
340
179
150
154
132

13 %
5
9
14
14
14

58 %
21
51
60
62
69

84 %
51
82
87
87
91

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

123 days
124
122
122

14 %
15
15
10

70 %
70
71
68

90 %
91
91
89

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

125 days
113
129

20 %
26
16

69 %
71
68

89 %
89
89

Weapon offenses

142 days

15 %

67 %

88 %

Other offenses /f

123 days

15 %

68 %

89 %

226 days

5 %

38 %

73 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

262 days
373
277
232
222
235

5 %
4
4
3
6
7

32 %
16
31
36
39
30

67 %
47
68
75
72
76

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

190 days
206
164
216

3 %
4
3
3

48 %
42
55
42

79 %
76
82
79

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

221 days
189
238

6 %
9
5

37 %
48
32

75 %
78
73

Weapon offenses

208 days

3 %

43 %

74 %

Other offenses /f

192 days

3 %

47 %

77 %

Trial
All offenses

Table 4.9. Time between arrest and conviction for
felony cases in State courts, by type of conviction, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Time between arrest and conviction
Median
Cumulative percent of
number
felons convicted within:
of days
1 month
6 months
1 year

Guilty plea
All offenses

125 days

14 %

67 %

89 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

148 days
308
164
139
147
126

13 %
9
10
15
12
13

59 %
31
54
61
60
69

86 %
57
83
88
86
92

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

121 days
122
120
120

11 %
11
11
10

69 %
69
70
70

90 %
91
90
90

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

121 days
109
125

17 %
22
15

67 %
68
67

89 %
88
89

Weapon offenses

139 days

11 %

64 %

87 %

Other offenses /f

121 days

15 %

68 %

90 %

Note: This table is only based on an estimated 372,293 cases.
Many of these cases are concentrated in a relatively small number of counties.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables

Table 4.10. Time between conviction and sentencing for
felony cases in State courts, by type of conviction, 1998

Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of felons sentenced within:
0-1
2-60
61 days
Total
day
days
or more

Total
All offenses

100 %

59 %

25 %

16 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

54 %
43
51
48
57
61

28 %
29
26
30
28
26

18 %
28
23
21
14
13

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

61 %
63
57
64

24 %
23
27
21

15 %
14
16
15

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

62 %
59
64

23 %
26
21

15 %
15
15

Weapon offenses

100 %

60 %

26 %

14 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

55 %

29 %

17 %

100 %

41 %

32 %

27 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

36 %
38
39
28
37
39

33 %
34
27
38
34
20

32 %
29
34
34
29
42

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

48 %
45
44
58

28 %
33
30
21

24 %
22
26
21

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

48 %
48
48

27 %
24
29

25 %
28
23

Weapon offenses

100 %

34 %

37 %

28 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

34 %

41 %

26 %

Trial
All offenses

Table 4.10. Time between conviction and sentencing for
felony cases in State courts, by type of conviction, 1998 (cont.)

Most serious
conviction offense

Percent of felons sentenced within:
0-1
2-60
61 days
Total
day
days
or more

Guilty plea
All offenses

100 %

57 %

26 %

17 %

Violent offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

100 %
100
100
100
100
100

52 %
46
52
45
56
58

30 %
25
28
34
30
27

18 %
29
20
21
14
15

Property offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Fraud /e

100 %
100
100
100

59 %
63
54
62

25 %
23
28
22

16 %
14
18
16

Drug offenses
Possession
Trafficking

100 %
100
100

59 %
52
63

24 %
28
22

17 %
20
15

Weapon offenses

100 %

57 %

27 %

17 %

Other offenses /f

100 %

53 %

30 %

17 %

Note: Detail may not add to the total because of rounding.
This table is only based on an estimated 469,626 cases.
Many of these cases are concentrated in a relatively small number of counties.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.

State Court Sentencing of Convicted Felons, 1998 -- Statistical tables
Table 4.11. Mean and median number of days between arrest and sentencing for
felony cases disposed by State courts, 1998
Most serious
conviction offense

Number of days between arrest and sentencing for cases disposed by -Trial
Total
Total
Jury
Bench
Guilty Plea

Mean
All Offenses

214 days

352 days

379 days

328 days

216 days

Violent Offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

254 days
472
289
294
285
245
230
192

401 days
537
396
400
389
353
344
377

413 days
526
398
391
409
360
356
401

381 days
595
398
423
342
337
322
343

248 days
452
277
290
270
238
235
202

Property Offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

206 days
195
205
189
219

313 days
324
294
236
331

329 days
327
295
229
388

300 days
324
292
232
291

208 days
197
211
229
215

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

203 days
200
205

327 days
309
336

351 days
307
363

324 days
322
324

210 days
216
206

Weapon offenses

211 days

323 days

356 days

300 days

220 days

Other offenses /f

208 days

319 days

340 days

287 days

213 days

149 days

278 days

300 days

256 days

153 days

Violent Offenses
Murder /a
Sexual assault /b
Rape
Other sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Other violent /c

189 days
399
221
227
220
187
172
147

320 days
469
319
340
301
283
265
277

333 days
463
313
317
311
298
276
316

290 days
578
359
387
232
258
256
271

184 days
379
209
220
203
179
173
161

Property Offenses
Burglary
Larceny /d
Motor vehicle theft
Fraud /e

144 days
137
141
122
155

245 days
249
229
224
268

263 days
253
259
140
280

222 days
223
214
229
248

148 days
144
148
143
152

Drug Offenses
Possession
Trafficking

136 days
122
143

264 days
245
273

281 days
231
287

259 days
259
261

144 days
142
145

Weapon offenses

145 days

249 days

265 days

249 days

152 days

Other offenses /f

145 days

250 days

276 days

227 days

152 days

Median
All Offenses

Note: The grand total includes all cases, whether or not conviction type was known.
Data by conviction type are based on an estimated 356,822 cases. "379" days
between arrest and sentencing for jury trials is based on data from 125 counties;
328" days for bench trials, 42 counties; and "216" days for guilty pleas, 167 counties.
a/ Includes nonnegligent manslaughter.
b/ Includes rape.
c/ Includes offenses such as negligent manslaughter and kidnaping.
d/ Includes motor vehicle theft.
e/ Includes forgery and embezzlement.
f/ Composed of nonviolent offenses such as receiving stolen property and vandalism.