Racism in the criminal justice system: problems and suggestions
Article Abstract:
Racism in the criminal justice system could be combatted by adopting a balancing practice to increase the number of minority members on civilian review boards or juries in cases involving minorities as plaintiffs or defendants. The proposal is based on the 12th-century English concept of the jury 'de medietate linguae,' which protected foreign merchants in court by forming juries with six local members and six foreigners, if possible. Race problems in the US are aggravated by the bias in the criminal justice system that is evident, for example, in the way sentencing guidelines are harsher for crack than for powder cocaine.
Publication Name: Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
Subject: Political science
ISSN: 0193-4872
Year: 1997
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Civil rights and the criminal justice system
Article Abstract:
Policies should be initiated to address problems of race and crime that are threatening the rule of law. For one thing, law enforcement and criminal justice should be handled at the community level. In addition, civil rights protections should focus on the victims of crimes rather than the criminals. These reforms should be placed within a more wide-ranging program of empowerment, concerned with things such as higher graduation rates, job creation and community organization. Affirmative action should not be applied to criminal law, however.
Publication Name: Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
Subject: Political science
ISSN: 0193-4872
Year: 1997
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Crime, politics and race
Article Abstract:
Crime prevention is the best approach to improving the criminal justice system, but unfortunately it is not as attractive politically as less effective methods such as escalating punishment. The results of crime prevention are more abstract, less immediate and not as emotionally satisfying as the results of punishment. Racial discrimination exists in the criminal justice system, associated with the politics of the war on crime and the war on drugs, as well as racist attitudes of police officers.
Publication Name: Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
Subject: Political science
ISSN: 0193-4872
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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