Exam 6: Sentencing

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Spohn (2000) found that, in several studies, when looking at the interaction between the offenders' race and process-related factors, racial minorities are sentenced more harshly than Whites if they (1) are detained in jail prior to trial, (2) are represented by a public defender rather than a private attorney, (3) are convicted at trial rather than by plea, and (4) have more serious prior criminal records. Consider strategies that might prevent this type of disparity during the criminal justice process. Explain your answer.

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There are several strategies that could be implemented to prevent the disparity in sentencing for racial minorities during the criminal justice process.

First, there should be efforts to reduce pretrial detention for all individuals, regardless of race. This could involve implementing alternative forms of pretrial release, such as electronic monitoring or supervised release, to reduce the reliance on incarceration prior to trial.

Second, steps should be taken to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race, have access to quality legal representation. This could involve increasing funding for public defender offices, providing training and resources for public defenders, and implementing measures to ensure that private attorneys are available to all individuals, regardless of their financial means.

Third, efforts should be made to reduce the reliance on trials and increase the use of plea bargaining. This could involve providing incentives for defendants to plead guilty, such as reduced sentences or access to rehabilitation programs, and ensuring that all individuals have access to fair and equitable plea bargaining processes.

Finally, there should be efforts to address the underlying factors that contribute to racial disparities in criminal records. This could involve implementing programs to address the root causes of criminal behavior, such as poverty and lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and providing support and resources for individuals with prior criminal records to prevent recidivism.

Overall, addressing the disparity in sentencing for racial minorities during the criminal justice process will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the various factors that contribute to this disparity. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards a more equitable and fair criminal justice system for all individuals, regardless of race.

In the 1880 census, what percent of people in penitentiaries had sentences of over 1 year?

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Briefly explain the trends in the presidential appointments of racial and ethnic minorities to the federal judiciary.

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Over the past few decades, there has been a gradual increase in the appointment of racial and ethnic minorities to the federal judiciary. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the importance of diversity in the legal system and a commitment to ensuring that the judiciary reflects the demographics of the country. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that the federal judiciary is truly representative of the population it serves. Efforts to increase diversity in judicial appointments continue to be a priority for many advocates and policymakers.

Sentencing guidelines have been created to "equalize" or reduce the disparities in the sentencing process

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The War on Drugs has been shown to effectively reduce drug use in the United States.

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In what case did the Supreme Court rule that mandatory crack penalties were advisory in nature?

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In response to concerns about drug dealing and violent crimes, ______ were implemented.

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Once the Federal Sentencing Guidelines were enacted in 1984, federal parole was eliminated.

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Briefly explain the origin of the crack-cocaine and powder cocaine sentencing disparity.

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Briefly explain two philosophies of punishment.

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Consider the following statement: The cumulative disadvantages that operate disproportionately for young Black men could also further limit their chances for successful integration back into their communities after release from prison, not to mention the potentially negative impact of their incarceration on their partners and dependent children. In what ways might cumulative disadvantage impact successful reintegration? Explain your answer.

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Most recorded crimes in colonial New York were ______.

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In 2016, the United States Sentencing Commission reported that the majority of cases involved the following four offenses ______.

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Most people convicted of felonies in the United States are on probation.

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In the mid-1990s, many more people were supportive of punishing violent offenders than ______ them.

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Briefly explain how the conservatism of the 1980s changes the nature of criminal justice.

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Briefly explain the race and sentencing findings in the Post-Zatz era.

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Recent research has shown that Asians are sentenced more harshly than Blacks and Hispanics.

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The racial/ethnic background of most offenders at the federal level were ______.

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Briefly explain how fewer drug prosecutions can result in positive outcomes.

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