The Impact of Extralegal Factors on Sentencing Outcomes: An Exploratory Analysis

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

When demographic, geographic, and other non-case-related factors correlate with differences in sentencing outcomes, justice may be compromised. These relationships lead to a hypothesis that sentencing is based not only upon the circumstances of a crime, but also on extra-legal factors that cannot be controlled by offenders. While studies of this nature have focused primarily on racial and gender disproportionalities, through a random sample of 250 pre-trial offenders within one Massachusetts court and HOC, this study will offer a unique insight into less explored disparities. The primary goal of this research was to collect and analyze administrative and official record data to provide an overview of the demographic, geographic, and case-related factors that could explain variations in sentencing outcomes for the 250 participants. The secondary goal was to conduct spatial analyses of these data to better understand the distribution of sentencing outcomes. Thus, not only are trends in sentencing outcomes identified across the offender population, but also how variations in outcomes track county demographics. Preliminary findings are anticipated to highlight a variety of unique sentencing disparities within the 250 participants, further contributing to the already controversial foundations upon which the United States’ justice system is built.

Authors

• Michelle Chen, Northeastern University

• Sarina Dass, Northeastern University

• Natasha A. Frost, Northeastern University

• Stacie St. Louis, Northeastern University