Depravity Scale

https://depravityscale.org/depscale/

Currently, the terms “heinous” and “depraved” are used in courts to allow judges and juries to assign more severe sentences; yet, there is no standardized definition for these legal terms –leaving triers of fact to decide on the basis of mere emotions, which can be easily manipulated.

To combat this arbitrariness in sentencing, Dr. Michael Welner, a forensic psychiatrist and associate professor at NYU, has designed the Depravity Scale -- an objective, evidence-based instrument that standardizes the specific intents, actions and attitudes according to public consensus.

The Depravity Scale is undergoing validation research at a secure site (www.depravityscale.org), where participants are asked to weigh in on the extent to which 26 items are representative of depravity. The next phase, set to kick off next month, will engage the questions of item-ranking and weighting for the final instrument, which will one day be used as a guideline for juries at the sentencing phase of trials.

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Submitted on: 14-Feb-2005