Corruption and criminal sentencing dispositions in China

Corruption is a prevalent crime worldwide. In China, it is drawing increased attention because the current administration is making intensified efforts to fight corruption. Despite its importance, empirical research on the characteristics and sentencing dispositions of corruption cases is rare. Based on 343 corruption cases, and using the focal concerns theory of sentencing as an interpretive framework, this study examines the main corruption offense and offender characteristics and the sentencing of corruption offenders. It also tests several specific hypotheses linked to the focal concerns theory: (1) If a case has characteristics indicating higher blameworthiness (e.g., higher amount of property involved), the sentence length will be greater. (2) If a case has characteristics indicating higher dangerousness (e.g., lack of confession), the sentence length will be greater. (3) Practical constraints and consequences (e.g., judicial reform) will impact sentence length as well. If the case was prosecuted after the judicial reform, then sentencing outcome would be more lenient.