Why are there Sentencing Disparities among judges?
Disparities in Sentencing Sentencing disparity is the imposition of different sentences on similar offenders who have committed similar offenses. Disparity in sentencing is not the result of capricious behavior by the judiciary. Sentencing disparity occurs because within the vast number of judges involved in sentencing DWI offenders, judges may not be uniformly familiar with the benefits of different sentencing options, programs may not be uniformly available in all jurisdictions, and offenders may have different capabilities for paying program costs.45 Sentencing disparity results in some offenders not receiving appropriate sanctions. More than half (54 percent) of the law enforcement officers in the Traffic Injury Research Foundation survey reported they do not believe the penalties imposed by judges reflect the severity of the offense.46 One illustration shows the problems caused by repeat offenders who continue to drive even when their driver’s license is revoked. This disparity re
