the Judicial Grading System
At Verdict View, we aim to provide a clear and comprehensive evaluation of judicial decisions, ensuring that the justice system remains transparent and accountable. Our grading system focuses on several critical factors that reflect a judge’s consistency, fairness, and consideration of equitable outcomes in their sentencing, bail, and diversion program decisions.
The following criteria measures how judges apply sentences, manage demographic parity, and ensure equitable decisions across a range of factors. These evaluations allow for a deeper understanding of judicial behavior, highlighting areas where improvement may be needed to maintain fairness and consistency in the courtroom.
Grading System
[ Verdict View uses the A - F Grading Scale ]
Sentencing Severity Index
Comparing Judges sentencing severity to the median for similar cases within the jurisdiction.
Sentencing Consistency
Evaluation how consistency a judge applies sentences for similar cases with similar circumstances . Look for enexplained variations that might indicate arbitrary.
Bail decision Equity
Comparing bail decisions across similar cases, controlling for flight risk and public safety factors. Calculating the percentage of demographically similar defendants receiving comparable bail decisions.
Diversion Program Utilization
Rate at which eligible defendants are referred to diversion programs (drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts) compared to peers.
Demographic Parity
Analyze whether sentencing patterns show significant disparities across demographic groups after controlling for relevant legal factors (offense severity, criminal history, etc.).