A Temporal-Spatial Analysis of the Distance to Court and FTA in Communities of Color

• In Event: Emerging Issues and Innovative Methods in Pretrial Justice

Abstract

The use of temporal-spatial models in criminology and criminal justice has grown in recent years but has yet to fully cement its place in the pretrial landscape, despite its wide applicability in explaining variation in pretrial outcomes. In this presentation, we examine whether distance to court and travel time affects appearance at scheduled court dates in New York City. We pay particular attention to how location and disadvantage may contribute to differential outcomes in pretrial appearance rates and hypothesize that distance and time of commute affect appearance at scheduled court dates differently in communities of color. At the same time, we discuss how the socio-economic disadvantages of the community, such as economic hardship, social inequality, as well as travel distance and time, enhance the burden of distance on failing to appear for court. The larger aim of this study is to contribute a larger body of literature on the value of temporal-spatial analysis and to demonstrate the place-based obstacles individuals face while experiencing criminal legal system contact.

Authors

• Jasmine Hwang, New York City Criminal Justice Agency

• Elizabeth Saba, New York City Criminal Justice Agency

• Raven Simonds, New York City Criminal Justice Agency

• David J. Topel, New York City Criminal Justice Agency

• Bosco Villavicencio, New York City Criminal Justice Agency

• Nathan Nisenson, New York City Criminal Justice Agency