The Occurance of Racial Disparity in the Death Penalty

The Occurrence of Racial Disparity in the Death Penalty

Jody Richards

University of Phoenix

Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice

CJA 423

Reginald Grigsby

June 17, 2010

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Abstract

Even though some argue that there is no disparity in Death Penalty sentencing, statistics and evidence show that Racial Disparity not only occurs in the sentencing but also in every other level of the criminal justice system (Williams, 2010). From the time of initial contact with law enforcement up until sentencing some citizens will fall victim to disparity and discrimination. It has been shown many times over that both Blacks and Hispanics are treated disproportionately as compared to their White counterparts.

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The Occurrence of Racial Disparity in the Death Penalty

Unfortunately, disparity is rampant not only in society but also in the criminal justice system.

Death-penalty

Death Penalty 2006

Death penalty map

The percentage of African Americans who account for all arrests is far greater than the percentage that they represent in the population as compared to Caucasians. Equal rights and fairness for all as guaranteed by the Eighth and Fourteenth amendments are not what is being practiced in our legal system. The majority of disparity in the criminal justice system can be contributed to the bigotry of those who represent our system, such as police officers, prosecutors, attorneys, judges and those in the probation and parole departments. There is a real concern for racial disparity that is occurring in the application of death penalty sentencing. Attempts have been made to establish appeals based on racial disparity. Statistically it has been shown that the death penalty has been disproportionately applied in the United States. Several studies indicate that the races...