| A pilot study of sentencing practices within the Danish court system is carried out within a systems analysis paradigm. This is the first research to use de-aggregated data from Danish criminal courts. Three jurisdictions representing urban, suburban, and rural populations are analyzed in regard to sentencing practices. Initial results indicate an overall pattern of uniformity and leniency without benefit of strict sentencing guidelines. In regard to sentencing structures these findings carry significant implications for U.S. policy makers.;This comparison utilizes a regression strategy to analyze length of sentences and a logit equation for the initial incarceration decision. The legally relevant variables emerge as strong indicators of length of sentence. Differences do emerge among the jurisdictions in regard to the effects of pre-trial detention, type of offense, and ethnicity of defendants. In order to continue this line of inquiry suggestions are made for future comparative analysis regarding judicial attitudes and philosophies. |
