In this essay, we will review the scholarly research on race and sentencing, and discuss a number of important sentencing reforms that have taken place in the U.S. over the past three decades in response to evidence of disparate racial treatment and to pressure from advocates for reform. ... Furthermore, in responding to public demand for harsher and more certain punishment, the United States Congress passed the 1984 Sentencing Reform Act; comprehensive structure sentencing systems designed to reform and equalize sentencing in the federal courts. ...

• Word Count: 2620
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

First, in 1984 almost 46% of those arrested for violent crimes were Black, while Blacks constitute only about 12% of the national population on the whole. 5 Overall, Blacks are twice as likely to be arrested when compared to whites.6 This data could be construed to mean simply that Blacks commit more crimes than whites. ...

• Word Count: 3584
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This essay will discuss the reasons people accept plea bargains, courtroom workgroup role and incentives in plea bargaining, and the impact of race on plea bargaining. ... According to Maynard (1984), "Prosecutors base their decision on whether to proceed to trial or enter a plea bargain on factors such as the gravity of the crime, the defendant's criminal record and characteristics, the victim, and the evidence"(p. 56). ...

• Word Count: 3937
• Approx Pages: 16
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School