This study of arrests for firearm-related felony offenses finds that individuals charged with committing a firearm-related felony in more socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods receive higher bail than those arrested in less advantaged neighborhoods.
Drawing on the minority threat and focal concerns theoretical perspectives on criminal justice outcomes, the current study of arrests for firearm-related felony offenses in St. Louis examines the effect of neighborhood context on formal charges, bail, pretrial detention, and sentencing. The study finds that individuals charged with committing a firearm-related felony in more socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods receive significantly higher bail than those arrested for the same crimes in less advantaged neighborhoods. High bail increases the length of pretrial detention, which in turn raises the probability that the individual is sentenced to prison rather than placed on probation. The results highlight the importance of modeling the cumulative process of case disposition when assessing the influence of community context on criminal justice decision-making. (Published Abstract Provided)
Downloads
Similar Publications
- The Efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP Program in Reducing Psychopathic Traits: A Controlled Trial with Male Detained Youth
- Binge Drinking, Job Stressors, and Resilience in a Nationally Representative Sample of Law Enforcement Officers
- Too Sensitive or Not Sensitive Enough? Sensitivity to Context and Justice-involved Youths' Response to Violence Exposure