Age, Racial/Ethnic Minority Status, Gender and Misdemeanor Sentencing

Researchers have increasingly examined interactions between various combinations of legal and extralegal variables to explain disparities in felony criminal sentencing decisions. This paper focuses on the combined effects of extralegal variables such as age, racial/ethnic minority status, and gender have on misdemeanor criminal sentencing. Results indicate that adult, White males experienced the harshest fine amounts, while young, young adult, and adult racial/ethnic minority males had a higher likelihood of receiving other punitive sentences in addition to, or rather than just a fine. The results provide support for competing theoretical approaches of contextual discrimination and focal concerns. The implications for racial/ethnic bias in lower court decisions are discussed. [(C) 2007 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved.]