The Racial Justice Act of North Carolina was a piece of legislation that was introduced to the General Assembly of North Carolina to prohibit the seeking or imposing of the death penalty on the basis of race ( GANC, 2009 ). The Racial Justice Act of North Carolina was enacted on August 11, 2009. It was signed into law by then Governor, Beverly E. Perdue. This law was put in to place to seemingly help to right some wrongs that were very apparent in the criminal justice system. This act would give a death row inmate an opportunity to get their sentence reduced to a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. .
The Racial Justice Act was a piece of legislation that set a precedent not only in North Carolina but all over the United States of America. The passing of this legislation into law made North Carolina the first state in the county to provide death row inmates an opportunity to have their death sentence changed if they could prove that they were significantly discriminated against by prosecutors based on race. With this act, it is now on the defendant to prove that their race was a significant factor in the seeking or imposing of the death penalty. After they present their evidence, the state will get their opportunity to refute any of the claims made by the defendant when they get a chance to present their case and evidence. .
The Racial Justice Act was passed shortly after three African American death row inmates from North Carolina were exonerated. These men had been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. This piece of legislation was not a popular among district attorneys throughout North Carolina. This law seemed to shine a light on an issue that many would have liked to have kept in the dark. There has always been racial disparity all over this country but it seemed especially prevalent in the South. At the time of the enactment of the Racial Justice Act of North Carolina, there were 140 men and 2 women on death row in North Carolina.