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Federal Justice Statistics, 2005 - Statistical Tables

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Federal Justice Statistics, 2005 - Statistical Tables


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Table 2.3. Basis for declination of prosecution by U.S. attorneys, October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005

Basis for declination Suspects in criminal matters declined by U.S. attorneys

Number Percenta

  Total declinationsb 29,755   100 %
No crime 6,164   21.1 %
  No true bill returned 11   --  
  No federal offense 1,265   4.3  
  Lack of criminal intent 4,888   16.7  
Referred or handled in other prosecution 6,203   21.2 %
  Removed 1,525   5.2  
  Prosecuted on other charges 992   3.4  
  Prosecuted by other authorities 3,686   12.6  
Alternative resolution 1,023   3.5 %
  Restitution 125   0.4  
  Civil or administrative alternative 460   1.6  
  Pretrial diversion 438   1.5  
Suspect-related reasons 758   2.6 %
  Suspect serving sentence 82   0.3  
  No known suspect 321   1.1  
  Suspect a fugitive 84   0.3  
  Suspect deceased 206   0.7  
  Suspect deported 65   0.2  
Case-related reasons 7,854   26.8 %
  Stale case 389   1.3  
  Weak evidence 6,593   22.5  
  Statute of limitations exceeded 174   0.6  
  Jurisdiction or venue problems 297   1.0  
  Witness problems 401   1.4  
All other reasons 7,262   24.8 %
  Minimal federal interest 990   3.4  
  Petite policy 192   0.7  
  Lack of resources 1,481   5.1  
  DOJ policy 461   1.6  
  U.S. attorney policy 917   3.1  
  Agency request 2,928   10.0  
  Juvenile suspect 66   0.2  
  Offender's health, age, prior record, or other personal circumstances 71   0.2  
  Suspect's cooperation 156   0.5  

--Less than .05%.
aPercent based on suspects for whom a basis for declination could be determined.
bIncludes 491 suspects for whom basis for declination could not be determined.

Source: Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, National LIONS system file.

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