Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

New ACS paper on racial disparities in the death penalty

By Douglas A. Berman

A new issue brief from the American Constitution Society authored by Scott Phillips addresses disparities in the modern administration of capital punishment. The paper is titled, "Racial Disparities in Capital Punishment: Blind Justice Requires a Blindfold," and is available at this link. Here's the description from ACS: In this Issue Brief, Professor Phillips describes research he conducted on race and capital punishment in Harris County, Texas.  The author reports finding that the death penalty is more likely to be imposed against black defendants than white defendants, and death is more likely to be imposed on behalf of white victims than black victims.  Professor Phillips explains that his research indicates that the racial disparities arise in the District Attorney?s decision to seek the death penalty, rather than with the jury...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on October 10, 2008 (boomark / email).