Citation

Kingsnorth RF, López J, Wentworth J, Cummings D. J. Crim. Justice 1998; 26(5): 359-371.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0047-2352(98)00012-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Utilizing a sample of 365 cases, this study analyses the impact of the racial/ethnic composition of the victim/offender dyad on prosecution and sentencing of adult sexual assault offenders. Major decision points examined include the prosecutors'decision to reject/dismiss or fully prosecute, whether the case went to trial or was resolved by plea negotiation, whether convicted offenders were sentenced to jail or prison, and the length of term imposed. Unlike all other studies that have addressed this issue, no significant effect of racial/ethnic composition was found at any decision point in case processing. Hypotheses to explain this difference in findings are discussed.