Abortion law enforcement in Chicago

An analysis of all but 4 cases of abortion offenses in which indictments were sought for the 16-yr period 1950 through 1965, in Chicago, Ill. The charges include abortion, attempted abortion, & conspiracy to commit abortion. Data derive from the files of the Chicago Crime Commission. The purpose is to evaluate the quality of law enforcement of abortion offenses on 3 levels--the police, the state attorney's office, & judges at the trial level. It is observed that the criminal laws relating to abortion offenses are laxly enforced on all 3 levels studied. Only a small fraction of the offenses which occur ever come to the attention of the police. Among those cases which are discovered, less than half the defendants are convicted, & only 14% receive prison terms. "In effect, the statutes which prohibit abortion are "dead letter" laws. As such, they should be repealed." 5 Tables. M. Maxfield.