Affiliation:
1. Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
Abstract
Initiatives have been implemented to reduce the federal sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses. The current study investigated the impact of the Fair Sentencing Act 2010 (FSA) on sentencing outcomes for females convicted of federal cocaine offenses. Specifically, the study examined the influence of race, ethnicity, and drug-related factors on presentence detention, downward departures, and sentence length before and after FSA. Using federal sentencing data, results revealed a substantial decrease in the number of crack cocaine offenses and average sentence length after FSA. Additionally, results revealed that there were racial and ethnic differences in sentencing outcomes.