Race, Crime, and the Administration of Justice

• NCJ Number: 177467
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Dated: April 1999 Pages: 26-32
• Author(s): Christopher Stone
• Date Published: April 1999
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper summarizes data and findings from research pertinent to racial representation in patterns of crime victimization, stereotypes and criminal profiles, disparities in conviction rates and sentencing, and criminal justice employment.

Abstract

Regarding patterns of crime victimization, generally, whites have the lowest victimization rates, followed by Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics, and blacks. The pattern changes somewhat for different crimes. The more sophisticated analyses focus on neighborhoods and show that the differences in victimization and offending rates between groups may have more to do with neighborhood and community conditions than with race itself. Research also suggests that racial stereotypes for offending have developed within police attitudes and procedures. This is particularly evident in the practice of stopping black motorists at a higher rate than white motorists, because the police have profiled black drivers as being more likely to carry contraband in their cars. Also, the combination of higher rates of crime and higher levels of police attention produce disproportionate numbers of arrests among some groups. Regarding racial bias in sentencing, the most that can be said from the research is that when crime type and prior record are taken into account, black defendants in some jurisdictions are more likely to receive prison sentences than are white defendants. Attention must be paid to the impact of drug laws on particular minority groups. It is clear that the harsher penalties for crack cocaine have disproportionately impacted blacks because of the greater use of this drug in black communities. The concentration of these harsh sentences on black defendants is striking. Although some progress has been made in increasing racial diversity among criminal justice personnel, there are signs that this effort is losing momentum. An optimistic note in this analysis is the declining crime rate. This decline holds out the promise of a day when race will no longer be a proxy for concentrated community disadvantage. 23 notes and a list of 4 resources