NCJ Number
97283
Journal
Sociological Inquiry Volume: 55 Issue: 1 Dated: (1985) Pages: 83-96
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reports the results of a study designed to examine the possibility that Mexican-Americans charged with felonies receive biased treatment in California courts.
Abstract
Using data from superior courts in Fresno, California, it is shown that, when charged with similar crimes, Chicanos and Anglos in this district are given quite similar treatment -- there is no observable judicial bias. In addition, this study shows a much stronger relationship between seriousness of charge and length of sentence (if guilty) than other earlier studies have. This is attributed to California's determinate sentencing law, which, it appears, forces the courts to give heavy and relatively uniform weight to legally relevant variables in sentencing. (Author abstract)