NCJ Number
154498
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 83-91
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study explored the influence of race on decisions reached in criminal appeals from two Florida trial courts to an intermediate appellate court.
Abstract
Data were collected on 183 cases in which sentencing guidelines had been used and the trial courts' decisions appealed on issues related to sentencing, evidentiary questions, and jury trial questions. Independent variables used in the study, in addition to race, included appellant's criminal history, method of case disposition at trial court, appellant's conviction charge, guideline sentence, type of counsel on appeal, and the circuit court from which the appeal had originated. Controlling for several independent variables, the results showed that black appellants who had been sentenced in excess of the recommended maximum sentence were more likely than white defendants to have the sentence affirmed on appeal. 6 tables, 9 notes, and 37 references