Prosecutorial Philosophy and Racial Disparities in Arrest Rates

• In Event: Prosecutorial Philosophy, Decision-Making, and Case Outcomes

Abstract

The progressive prosecutor movement has become a prominent feature of criminal justice reform. Progressive prosecutors are vastly different than traditional prosecution through the approach to their roles in the criminal justice system. Traditional prosecutors prioritize convictions and punishment, often seeking maximum sentences for defendants and relying on the traditional model of tough-on-crime policies. Progressive prosecutors pledge to reform the criminal justice system by declining to prosecute certain low-level offenses, expanding diversion programs, and explicitly addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities. Little research, however, has examined the validity of such claims by assessing whether prosecutors' philosophies (i.e., progressive vs. traditional) ultimately contribute to reductions in racial disparities. In the current study, we examine the relationship between prosecutorial philosophy and racial disparities in arrests over time using county-level arrest data in California. These findings may extend our understanding of how a prosecutorial philosophy impact racial disparities in arrests.

Authors

• Carl L. Reeds, University of South Florida

• Lyndsay N. Boggess, University of South Florida

• Nick Peterson, University of Miami

• Ojmarrh Mitchell, Arizona State University