Bias against blacks and hispanics in the criminal justice system

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

11/06/2008

Category :

Law & contracts

Sub category :

Other law subjects

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Summary :

Introduction.
1. Is there a racial bias in America's criminal justice system?
2. Dubious distinctions.
3. The prevalence of racism in our society.
Understanding the causes of the bias and assessing its impact.
1. The disproportionate representation of minorities.
2. The study carried out by Dr David Baldus of the University of Iowa.
3. The importance of Baldus's findings.
The most frequently voiced criticism.
The costs to society as a whole resulting from the biases.
1. Blacks - significantly less faith in the system than whites.
2. The children of imprisoned minorities.
3. The result of our over-zealous and racially prejudiced system in the process of democracy.
Conclusion.

Abstract

Is there a racial bias in America's criminal justice system? This seems like a fairly straightforward yes or no question, yet it has caused heated debate between researchers throughout the second half of this century. Recently the debate has intensified as several states move to enact a moratorium on capital punishment in response to researchers who say that it is so racially biased as to be unconstitutional. Evidence that supports the theory of racial bias includes statistics showing that blacks and hispanics are over represented in prisons and jails. Researchers who claim no bias say that these elevated rates are the result of higher rates of offending, often caused by an interaction of such variables as class, employment opportunities, and single parent households. These may seem like dubious distinctions at best, and moot points at worst. Indeed, does it matter if it is the prejudice of society that incarcerates these minorities or prejudice within the system?