SOC 12 Study Guide - Final Guide: White-Collar Crime, Homicide, Race Matters
31 Oct 2018
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Most defendants are poor, cannot afford good attorney. Prosecutors, the courtroom work group, and plea bargaining. Courtroom work group tries to resolve cases as quickly as possible. Plea bargaining accounts for 90% of case outcomes. Prosecutors do not proceed with a case unless they are confident they will win. Drop up to half of all felony arrests. Poorest defendants do not fare worse than less poor ( but sill poor) defendants. 79% of grand theft defendants incarcerated vs. 38% of medicaid fraud defendants. Median economic loss from medicaid fraud was 10 time greater. Analyzed sentences of 3,000 convicted felons in ohio. More likely to receive prison term if from poorer neighborhood ( in. Offender more likely to be indicted for first degree murder ( death penalty) Black and latinos more likely than whites to be in prison. Some find minorities more likely to be sentenced to prison, receive longer terms. Harsher sentencing for minorities more likely in less serious crimes.
