Racial Disparities in Pre-Sentencing Courtroom Outcomes

dc.contributor.advisorWellford, Charlesen_US
dc.contributor.authorSalpino, Anthonyen_US
dc.contributor.departmentCriminology and Criminal Justiceen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-07-06T05:42:29Z
dc.date.available2011-07-06T05:42:29Z
dc.date.issued2011en_US
dc.description.abstractThe foundation of the American criminal justice system rests on the idea that all offenders should be treated equally before the law. However, prior research has shown that an offender's race may result in differential treatment. Despite extensive literature examining sentencing and race, very little attention has been given to the courtroom processes that occur after arrest but prior to sentencing (primarily executed at the discretion of the prosecutor). This study examines three of those pre-sentencing processes (dismissals, diversions, and charge reductions) that drastically affect the treatment an offender receives during later stages of the proceedings. Results indicate that minorities are significantly more likely to receive dismissals while being significantly less likely to receive diversions or charge reductions. Findings regarding geographic location and other variables are also discussed as well as limitations and suggestions for further research.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/11473
dc.subject.pqcontrolledCriminologyen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledLawen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledCharge Bargainingen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledDismissalen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledDiversionen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledMinoritiesen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledProsecutoren_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledRaceen_US
dc.titleRacial Disparities in Pre-Sentencing Courtroom Outcomesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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