ABSTRACT

The current study aims to examine the joint effects of defendant race and gender on (1) downward sentencing departures (likelihood and length) and (2) upward sentencing departures (likelihood and length) in federal criminal courts. Using federal criminal cases sentenced between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2016, a series of multivariate logistic and ordinary least squares regression models are used to isolate the effects of defendant race and gender (and their intersections) on departure decisions. Findings indicate that greater punitiveness for minorities in departure decisions are exclusive to Black males. Further, females of all race/ethnic groups examined are consistently advantaged in departure decisions when compared to White men. Findings regarding Hispanics indicate little difference in departure decisions compared to Whites, but where differences exist it is to the advantage of Hispanics. Findings and implications are discussed in light of focal concerns perspective and prior research.

摘要

当前的研究旨在检验联邦刑事法院在以下方面的被告种族和性别的共同影响：（1）向下宣判离职（可能性和时长）和（2）向上宣判离婚（可能性和时长）。使用2014年10月1日至2016年9月30日之间被判刑的联邦刑事案件，使用一系列多元logistic和普通最小二乘回归模型来隔离被告种族和性别（及其交集）对出发决定的影响。研究结果表明，黑人男性在离开决策时对少数群体的惩罚更大。此外，与白人男性相比，所有接受检查的种族/族裔女性在出发决策方面始终具有优势。关于西班牙裔的调查结果表明，与白人相比，出发决定几乎没有差异，但是如果存在差异，这对西班牙裔美国人是有利的。根据焦点关注的观点和先前的研究讨论了发现和暗示。