STUDIES:   

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"[Data] does not support the interpretation that differences in the severity of criminal conduct… alone can explain the substantial racial disparities… We believe that this evidence is consistent with racially disparate initial charging practices." (h/t @JulieMFaenza)

Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System Data challenges: Many police departments did not respond to our request, … There is also a great deal of missing race (24%) and ethnicity (65%) data. Data challenges: Many police departments did not respond to our request, … There is also a great deal of missing race (24%) and ethnicity (65%) data. Superior Court cases with Black and Latinx defendants are more likely to include a charge that carries a mandatory minimum incarceration sentence. Indeed, cases involving Latinx defendants are twice as likely to include a mandatory minimum charge than cases involving White defendants. White defendants are also proportionally less likely to ultimately receive a sentence that is consistent with the mandatory minimum, indicating that they are more likely to be given a plea deal that does not include the mandatory minimum charge. Superior Court cases with Black and Latinx defendants are more likely to include a charge that carries a mandatory minimum incarceration sentence. Indeed, cases involving Latinx defendants are twice as likely to include a mandatory minimum charge than cases involving White defendants. White defendants are also proportionally less likely to ultimately receive a sentence that is consistent with the mandatory minimum, indicating that they are more likely to be given a plea deal that does not include the mandatory minimum charge.
Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System
report, Criminal Justice Policy Program, Harvard Law School
Bishop, Elizabeth Tsai / Hopkins, Brook / Obiofuma, Chijindu / Owusu, Felix
September 2020
http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/Massachusetts-Racial-Disparity-Report-FINAL.pdf
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