NCJ Number
101979
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1986) Pages: 147-155
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Differences in the case processing of ethnic minority and white defendants were examined in data for 1,173 cases handled by magistrates' courts in 3 English jurisdictions between September and November of 1983.
Abstract
Cases included 1,023 white; 64 black; and 58 Asian defendants, age 17 and over. For the total sample, 90 age 17 and over. For the total sample, 90 percent pleaded guilty. There was little evidence of differences in the offenses for which the groups were charged, although blacks were slightly more likely to be charged with violent offenses. Prior contact with probation services was found for 49 percent of whites, 61 percent of blacks, and 35 percent of Asians. While no significant differences were found with respect to the recommendations made in social inquiry reports, 35 percent of whites, 51 percent of blacks, and 30 percent of Asians were referred for inquiry reports. Asians were more likely to be first offenders than were blacks or whites. Black defendants tended to be younger than whites, suggesting that they are apprehended and prosecuted more often than whites, and at a younger age. Sentencing data suggest that ethnic minorities, compared to whites, were less likely to receive probation but more likely to receive community service orders. Blacks were more likely to be ordered to attend a senior attendance center, but were less likely to receive a prison sentence. 4 tables, 3 footnotes, and 14 references.