A Reconsideration of the Effects of Race in Criminal Sentencing

Abstract

Despite the large quantity of research on the criminal sentencing process, there is little agreement on how the process actuall/ operates. Using the major explanatory Variables of prior research, this study adds the effects of juvenile records upon adult sentences. Using data from official Georgia prison records andjuvenile detention data, the study finds that blacks with a prior juvenile record received a much harsher punishment than whites with the same offense charge and similar background characteristics. This finding supports the conflict perspective on sentencing which suggests that extra-legalfactors have an important bearing on sentencing decisions.