Victim-Based Effects on Racially Disparate Sentencing in Ohio
Scholars have argued that African-American men accused of violently victimizing whites receive especially harsh treatment in court. This thesis was tested with samples of felony defendants processed in Ohio courts before and after the implementation of sentencing guidelines. During the preguideline period only, African-American men accused of victimizing whites were less likely than other defendants to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges and/or sentences, and African-American men incarcerated for violent crimes against whites received longer sentences than other incarcerated offenders. During the postguideline period only, by contrast, the odds of pleading guilty in exchange for reduced charges were actually higher for African-American men accused of victimizing whites. African-American male prison terms significantly declined relative to incarcerated whites from the preguideline to the postguideline period. The interaction effect of defendant-victim race was significant during the preguideline period, not significant in the postguideline period, and significantly changed over time.
Racial disparities among African Americans primarily in the criminal justice system and other areas in society
African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed. This open access graduate research paper is available at UNI ScholarWorks: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/grp/154 RUNNING HEAD: Racial Disparities among African Americans 1 Racial Disparities among African Americans Primarily in the Criminal Justice System and other areas in society Juana D. Hollingsworth University of Northern Iowa Racial Disparities among African Americans 2 “The More Things Change the More They Remain the Same” Alphonse Karr Racial Disparities among African Americans 3 Abstract African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed.African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed. Racial Disparities among African Americans 4
Statistical Methods for Comparing Regression Coefficients Between Models
Statistical methods are developed for comparing regression coefficients between models in the setting where one of the models is nested in the other. Comparisons of this kind are of interest whenever two explanations of a given phenomenon are specified as linear models. In this case, researchers should ask whether the coefficients associated with a given set of predictors change in a significant way when other predictors or covariates are added as controls. Simple calculations based on quantities provided by routines for regression analysis can be used to obtain the standard errors and other statistics that are required. Results are also given for the class of generalized linear models (e.g., logistic regression, log-linear models, etc.). We recommend fundamental change in strategies for model comparison in social research as well as modifications in the presentation of results from regression or regression-type models.