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Difference, Disparity, and Race/Ethnic Bias in Federal Sentencing

Author

Listed:
  • Ronald S. Everett

    (National Institute of Justice, Office of Research and Evaluation)

  • Roger A. Wojtkiewicz

    (Ball State University, Department of Sociology)

Abstract

Federal sentencing guidelines were enacted to reduce unwarranted disparities in sentencing. In this paper we examine the degree to which disparity in sentencing on the basis of race and ethnicity occurred in federal sentencing after the guidelines were implemented. We consider how much of the disparity is explained by offense-related factors as specified in the guidelines. We find that African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans receive relatively harsher sentences than whites and that these differentials are only partly explained by offense-related characteristics. We interpret our findings in light of attribution, uncertainty avoidance, and conflict theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald S. Everett & Roger A. Wojtkiewicz, 2002. "Difference, Disparity, and Race/Ethnic Bias in Federal Sentencing," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 189-211, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joqcri:v:18:y:2002:i:2:d:10.1023_a:1015258732676
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1015258732676
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Cassia C. Spohn & Byungbae Kim & Steven Belenko & Pauline K. Brennan, 2014. "The Direct and Indirect Effects of Offender Drug Use on Federal Sentencing Outcomes," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 549-576, September.
    2. Eric L. Sevigny, 2009. "Excessive Uniformity in Federal Drug Sentencing," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 155-180, June.
    3. Bryan Holmes & Ben Feldmeyer, 2024. "Modeling Matters: Comparing the Presumptive Sentence Versus Base Offense Level Approaches for Estimating Racial/Ethnic Effects on Federal Sentencing," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 395-420, June.
    4. Redner-Vera, Erica N., 2025. "Temporal analyses of American Indian disadvantage," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    5. Uhl, Andrzej & Mamak, Kamil, 2026. "Are sentencing disparities unavoidable? Lessons from centralized judicial training," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    6. Xia Wang & Daniel P. Mears, 2010. "A Multilevel Test of Minority Threat Effects on Sentencing," Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 191-215, June.

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