Inter- and Intra-Racial Crime Relative to Sentencing

TL;DRAbstract

groes in comparison with whites, while others show that for most offenses Negroes receive lighter sentences. In a previous report the writer challenged the conclusions drawn in the former studies pointing out that they fail to take into adequate account legally significant differences between whites and racial minorities in patterns of criminal behavior.1 This paper will focus on the latter studies and particularly the apparent inconsistency that the relatively less strict treatment accorded to the Negro defendant signifies racial discrimination against the Negro. The paradox is resolved by the contention that Negroes only seem to receive preferential treatment; that community norms tolerate a less rigorous enforcement of the law when the victim is also

Chat with Paper

AI Agents for this Paper