THE SIEVE EFFECT : South Africa’s conviction rates in perspective

Authors

  • Ted Leggett Institute for Security Studies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2003/i5a1060

Keywords:

crime, South Africa, conviction, conviction rate, sieve effect

Abstract

Figures that suggest that only six out of every 100 violent crimes recorded by the South African Police Service result in a conviction are cause for concern. But every country experiences a ‘sieve effect’ – most reported crimes never even make it to court. Comparing South Africa’s success rates to those of England and the United States suggests that the country’s criminal justice system is not as dysfunctional as one might think.

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Published

2006-03-08

Issue

Section

Research articles