Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that throughout history the criminal justice system has differentiated between Caucasian and African-American offenders. The writer specifically focuses on the racial disparities in sentencing within the criminal justice system. The writer points out that there are many factors that lead up to the sentencing phase such as the offender's race, the amount of bail, employment, the prosecutor's decision to prosecute or dismiss a case, the victim's race, and the race of the judge. The writer concludes that the criminal justice system has made some minor improvements in preventing racial disparities in sentencing and further action needs to be taken to improve equal justice for all races.

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Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"The presentencing stage may have a greater potential for racial bias. Prosecutors can have a huge influence on the outcome of a case. Prosecutor's recommendations in regards to the amount of bail may indirectly affect the outcome of a case. A high bail can make it extremely difficult for a defendant to post bail and the failure to post bail can result in the probability of a guilty verdict. Usually prosecutors will recommend a pretrial release or detention and the length of pretrial detention can have an affect on the length of sentence and the severity of the conviction charge. The courts in New Haven, Connecticut were investigated and it was reported that African American males and females had a higher bail than Caucasians. Racial disparities was also revealed in New Haven that African Americans were required to put up a cash or surety bonds before their release from detention more frequently than Caucasians. There was also a similarity in New York City were an examination of more than 5,000 felonies and misdemeanors revealed that Caucasian defendants received a cash alternative option for release more frequently than minority defendants. An investigation in Florida in regards to felonies involving non-narcotics offenses found that Caucasian females received a lower bail than Caucasian males but that nonwhite females did not receive a lower bail than nonwhite males."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Free, M. (2002). Race and presentencing decision in the United States: a summary and critique of the research. Retrieved January 18, 2007, from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=6&hid=120&sid=9b605145-60da-4a79-abe2- a218edfb020c%40sessionmgr102
• Johnson, D. (2003). Racial and ethnic disparities in sentencing departures across modes of conviction. Retrieved January 20, 2007, from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=120&sid=9b605145-60da-4a79-abe2- a218edfb020c%40sessionmgr102
• Spohn, C. (1990). The sentencing decision of blacks and white judges: expected and unexpected similarities. Retrieved January 19, 2007, from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=9&hid=120&sid=9b605145-60da-4a79-abe2- a218edfb020c%40sessionmgr102

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