NCJ Number
113935
Journal
Sociology and Social Research Volume: 72 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 211-216
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews research into racial discrimination in the administration of criminal justice in the Netherlands.
Abstract
While some studies indicate the presence of racist opinions among some police officers and that police-ethnic minority relations are sometimes strained, empirical evidence fails to support charges of racial discrimination in either probability or police stops or arrests. No differences were found in case dispositions (dismissal or arrest) for white juveniles and minorities. In general, studies of the sentencing process find that factors such as crime seriousness and criminal histories are the most important predictors, and that personal characteristics have only small effects. There is, however, some indication that ethnic minorities may be treated somewhat more harshly than the majority population at various stages in the judicial process. Such differences usually are small, and in some cases Dutch defendants receive harsher punishments than minorities. While some studies of race effects suggest that punishments may be less harsh in cases involving minority victims, overall no important effects of race on sentencing were found. These results are similar to studies of racial discrimination in the later stages of the judicial process may be the result of greater discretion and subjective judgement of risk in these processes. 10 notes and 66 references.