title: Prosecuting Intimate Partner Sexual Assault: Legal and Extra-Legal Factors That Influence Charging Decisions.
abstract: Prosecutors play a crucial role in determining whether persons who are accused of intimate partner sexual assault (IPSA) will be sanctioned by the criminal justice system. Prosecutors have unconditional discretion at the initial charging stage because a case rejection decision is typically immune to review. Using qualitative data from 47 IPSA complaints that were referred to Los Angeles County or City prosecution in 2008, this study examines the factors that influence charging decisions. Findings suggest that prosecutors consider both legal and extralegal factors when making charging decisions and that various cultural, legal, and rape myths surrounding IPSA influence these decisions.
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA enoneal@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Eryn Nicole
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: O'Neal
authors.affiliation: California State University, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tellis
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA.
authors.forename: Cassia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spohn
mesh_terms: D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D024382:Professional Role; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017741:Survivors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: charging decisions; intimate partner sexual assault; qualitative