NCJ Number
82044
Date Published
Unknown
Length
96 pages
Annotation
A sample of black and white criminal law attorneys (341 blacks and 373 whites) were surveyed by questionnaire and personal interview as to their perceptions of the criminal justice system, particularly regarding discrimination against minorities, court efficiency, police discretion, and sentence severity.
Abstract
White attorneys -- more than two to one as compared to black attorneys -- felt that the entire court process was fair to the poor and minority defendant. An overwhelming number of black attorneys felt that whites received more lenient treatment in all criminal categories; 45 percent of the whites felt that white defendants received more lenient treatment in rape cases. Black attorneys are perceived -- by both black and white attorneys -- as less capable than white attorneys. Black attorneys want more minority judges. Most attorneys agreed that courts do not operate efficiently and that police discriminate against minorities. Most black attorneys felt that prosecutors sometime or often discriminate against minorities, whereas whites felt they never or almost never discriminated. Most attorneys opposed the death penalty and felt it discriminated against the poor. Survey data are included. The questionnaire is appended.