Posts Tagged ‘Sentencing’
Race and Criminal Justice
In 2007, the Plain Dealer Cleveland Newspaper published its analysis of hundreds of low-level felony drug cases from 2004 to 2007. Their findings revealed that harsher sentences had been given to black defendants than white defendants whose charges were the same. Furthermore, alternative drug rehabilitation was more frequently offered to white defendants. This study prompted Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason to commission a study of racial inequalities in the criminal justice system and more than a year later the plans to begin are almost complete. Out of five proposals, The University of Cincinnati and the College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University were chosen to conduct the analysis of every aspect of case procedures from arrest to sentencing and the impact of race on these cases.
Read more about the study here.
Posted by hcdmedia
Death Row Inmates Get Reprieve with Racial Justice Act
Behind the Obama controversy over his nationality, North Carolina is also getting attention for a law trying to “combat racial disparity in sentencing.” The racial judicial act will allow many minorities to try for an appeal on a base of bias. Several other states have policies to prevent racial bias in the trial process, such as in jury selection.
Though many feel that this law would further increase equality in the courtroom, some worry that the law would make prosecuting offenders much more difficult.
Read more here.
Posted by hcdmedia
Crack Disparity Lobbyists in Washington
Breaking News!
Advocates for fairer crack cocaine sentencing laws came out by the hundreds to lobby on Capital Hill on May 1st. And, the Obama Administration listened.
For 23 years sentencing for crack cocaine offenses has been markedly harsher than sentencing for powder cocaine offenses. Advocates for crack cocaine sentencing reform claim that this disparity has a racial component to it – effectively sending astronomically high numbers of black males to jail.
Read more about the campaign to end the Crack Cocaine sentencing disparity, and the hearing that took place on May 1st.
Posted by hcdmedia