Podcast
Questions and Answers
What happened to Erma Faye Stewart?
What happened to Erma Faye Stewart?
Refused to plead guilty, but had to stay in prison, so after a month pleaded guilty and was labeled a drug felon.
What happened to Clifford Ronalds?
What happened to Clifford Ronalds?
He was arrested at an 18-year-old's funeral, charges dropped, but he is still considered a felon.
What evidence is there that blacks and Latinos are arrested for drugs more?
What evidence is there that blacks and Latinos are arrested for drugs more?
White student cocaine user rates are 7 times higher than blacks; crack use is 8 times higher; heroin use is 7 times higher.
What evidence is there that whites use and sell drugs more?
What evidence is there that whites use and sell drugs more?
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What is implicit racism?
What is implicit racism?
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What is explicit racism?
What is explicit racism?
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What is step 1 involving the 4th Amendment?
What is step 1 involving the 4th Amendment?
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What is step 2 involving the 14th Amendment and McCleskey v Kemp?
What is step 2 involving the 14th Amendment and McCleskey v Kemp?
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What happened to Edward Clary?
What happened to Edward Clary?
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What evidence is there of racially biased prosecutorial discretion?
What evidence is there of racially biased prosecutorial discretion?
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How has Obama changed sentencing?
How has Obama changed sentencing?
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Study Notes
Criminal Justice Inequities
- Erma Faye Stewart refused to plead guilty but remained in prison for a month before accepting a plea deal, which labeled her as a drug felon.
- Clifford Runoalds was arrested at his friend's funeral, charges were dropped, yet he was still considered a felon.
Racial Disparities in Drug Arrests
- Black individuals are arrested for drug offenses at disproportionate rates despite lower usage: white students' cocaine use is seven times higher than that of black students.
- Crack cocaine usage rates among whites are eight times higher than among blacks, while heroin usage is seven times higher.
- White teens are statistically more likely to use (33%) and sell (33%) drugs than their black counterparts, and experience three times more emergency room visits.
Racism Definitions
- Implicit Racism: Hidden forms of racism that are not outwardly expressed.
- Explicit Racism: Direct and clear racist declarations or actions.
Legal Framework
- Fourth Amendment: Pretext stops are deemed "reasonable" as long as consent is provided by the individual stopped.
- Fourteenth Amendment: In McCleskey v. Kemp, a case can be dismissed regardless of overwhelming evidence if explicit discrimination is not proven.
Case Studies
- Edward Clary faced a 10-year prison sentence for possessing over 20 ounces of crack cocaine, highlighting punitive measures for drug offenses.
Racial Bias in Law Enforcement
- Racially biased discretionary practices by police predominantly target black communities, leading to significantly higher rates of searches for black drivers compared to white drivers.
Sentencing Reform
- The Fair Sentencing Act initiated by President Obama reformed sentencing laws by changing the crack-to-powder cocaine disparity from 100:1 to 18:1 and eliminated the mandatory five-year sentence for possession of small amounts of crack cocaine.
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Description
Explore the systemic inequities in the criminal justice system, particularly focusing on racial disparities in drug-related arrests and implications. This quiz delves into real-life cases and definitions of racism, highlighting the stark differences in treatment and perception between racial groups in legal contexts.
