Explain the gender, racial, and ethnic disparities found in sentencing. Address whether there is disparity in who receives probation versus incarceration.
Trial consultants conduct research related to jury profiling. They must be able to investigate statistics, build profiles of potential jurors, and report accurate data to a trial team who selects the jurors for a case. In this assessment, you research statistics and write an investigative report that explains the impact of policies and procedures on those of diverse backgrounds and makes evidence-based recommendations to a trial team who is looking to reduce disparities based on gender, race, and ethnicity in the trial process.
Watch the following video for an overview of this assessment:
Video with transcript
PreparationResearch at least 2 scholarly sources, other than the textbook, that provide statistical demographic information for sentencing and corrections. Use the websites of your local or federal agencies to find the most recent data.
Assessment DeliverableUsing local or federal statistics on sentencing and corrections, write and UPLOAD (No Links) a 700- to 1,050-Microsoft® Word (No PDF) investigative report as if you were a trial consultant investigating policies and procedures and their impact on those of diverse backgrounds Your report should explain current data regarding disparities in sentencing based on gender, race, and ethnicity, and make recommendations to the trial team about reducing these disparities in the trial process.
Include the following information, with supportive examples from your research, in your report:
Describe the gender, racial, and ethnic group demographic information for the following in your area:
Criminal sentences handed down in court
Corrections institutions (both prisons and jails)
Probation and parole populations
Explain the gender, racial, and ethnic disparities found in sentencing. Address whether there is disparity in who receives probation versus incarceration.
Describe how biases might affect courtroom proceedings, such as a bail/bond proceeding, pretrial proceeding, first appearance, and legal representation (e.g., having a private lawyer instead of a public defender).
Propose at least 1 recommendation for how to address gender disparities and at least 1 recommendation for how to address the racial and ethnic disparities in the areas discussed.
Cite at least 2 scholarly sources, other than the textbook, in your report. Format your citations according to APA guidelines.
Required – Submit your uploaded assessment correctly Wk4 Your Name Example: Wk4 Pete Moss
Submit your assessment in the correct format.
Assessment Support (Important)Review the rubric for guidance on deliverable expectations.
If you choose the federal level, the following resources include federal data that may be helpful:
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Demographic Differences in Sentencing from the United States Sentencing Commission
Prisoners in 2020 Statistical Tables from the U.S. Department of Justice
Probation and Parole in the United States, 2019 from the U.S. Department of Justice
If you choose to include data on juveniles, refer to Patterns of Juvenile Court Referrals of Youth Born in 2000, a bulletin from the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs that uses data from the National Juvenile Court Data Archive to summarize demographics of youth referred to juvenile court.
Review Statistics 101: Proportions, Ratios, and Rates from Statistics Canada on YouTube if you would like more information on interpreting basic statistical data.