Latin@ Criminology Panel 1: Setting a New Agenda for Research, Policy, and Justice

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

The United States (U.S.) has approximately fifty-three million Latin@ Americans, representing approximately seventeen percent of the U.S. population. What are the implications of the increasing diversity for criminological research in the United States? It is evident there is a current social and political debate surrounding the Latin@ population in the U.S. to which associates this population with crime and violence, reduced educational attainment, economic disadvantage, and strains on social service and governmental resources. The demographic shift is likely to challenge the institutional infrastructures of communities and the justice system as the Latin@ population grows. Although Latin@ Americans are likely to be face difficult life circumstances and challenges, researchers, policymakers, educators, and stakeholders need to consider the changing demographic context in developing policies and programs to address experiences with violence and justice. The intent behind this “Latin@ Criminology” panel is to exchange, promote, and disseminate information that contribute to the criminological knowledge and understanding of the rapidly growing U.S. Latin@ population in relation to the areas of criminology, criminal justice, social justice, sociology, psychology, education, human development, and social work.

Sub Unit

• Area VII: Criminal Justice Policy and Practice / 48: Race, Ethnicity, and Justice

Individual Presentations

• Long Term Impact of Gang Affiliated Partner Violence Victimization in Adolescence: Health and Criminal Justice Implications for Young Adult Latinas - Alice Cepeda, University of Southern California

• Justice-Involved Latina Girls, Their Parents, and the Juvenile Justice System - Vera Lopez, Arizona State University

• Lost in Translation: Latinos & the Police - Amada Armenta, University of Pennsylvania

• The Latina/o Political Challenge to Mainstream Criminology - Robert Vargas, University of Notre Dame

Chairs

• Robert J. Duran, University of Tennessee

• Anthony Peguero, Virginia Tech

• Maria Beatriz Velez, University of New Mexico

Discussant

• Cecilia Menjívar, University of Kansas