Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Prosecutorial Decision Making In The Face Of Changing Norms : An Exploratory Study Of Animal Cruelty Prosecution In New York, Andrea Lynne Kordzek

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Societal norms regarding the treatment of animals are evolving. This is reflected in part in nationwide changes in criminal justice policy regarding animal welfare. These changes, however, are not likely embraced by all nor do they necessarily result in changes in the practices of decision-makers in the criminal courts. Prosecutorial decision-making in animal cruelty cases may be especially varied due to evolving norms regarding the treatment of animals and conflicting views on the seriousness of the offense, along with the classification of animal cruelty as a relatively low level offense. Research to date has failed to examine how these cases …