Patterns of Disparities in Case Processing across Multiple Jurisdictions in the U.S.

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

The majority of criminal justice system activity in the United States takes place at the local level. With thousands of counties in the U.S., this means that there is great variation in how justice works. However, using a new tool that presents data from over 300 counties from states in each region of the country, some patterns emerge. We identify notable and shared processes across multiple jurisdictions within and between states using county court data related to case processing. We highlight patterns in case disposition and sentencing, including disparities by race and gender, to demonstrate the functionality of the tool and the potential for further exploration of the data.

Authors

• Gipsy Escobar, Measures for Justice

• Robert Hutchison, Measures for Justice

• Sema A Taheri, Measures for Justice