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Difference, Disparity, and Race/Ethnic Bias in Federal Sentencing

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Abstract

Federal sentencing guidelines were enacted to reduce unwarranted disparities in sentencing. In this paper we examine the degree to which disparity in sentencing on the basis of race and ethnicity occurred in federal sentencing after the guidelines were implemented. We consider how much of the disparity is explained by offense-related factors as specified in the guidelines. We find that African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans receive relatively harsher sentences than whites and that these differentials are only partly explained by offense-related characteristics. We interpret our findings in light of attribution, uncertainty avoidance, and conflict theories.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Justice, 810 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC, 20531

    Ronald S. Everett

  2. Department of Sociology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 47306

    Roger A. Wojtkiewicz

Authors
  1. Ronald S. Everett
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  2. Roger A. Wojtkiewicz
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Everett, R.S., Wojtkiewicz, R.A. Difference, Disparity, and Race/Ethnic Bias in Federal Sentencing. Journal of Quantitative Criminology 18, 189–211 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015258732676

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