Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Police Handling of Juvenile Arrests

Abstract

The overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority youth in early stages of juvenile justice processing remains a long-standing concern. The current study uses data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) to examine the effects of race and ethnicity on postarrest handling of juvenile cases by the police. Multilevel analyses controlling for extralegal and contextual factors found that disproportionate minority contact (DMC) was not observed for more severe charges, but Hispanic and minority youth facing less severe charges were more likely to be referred to authorities. Because even small disparities in postarrest handling may have a cumulative effect, the findings highlight the continuing need to better understand police officer behaviors and agency processes that result in DMC.

Individual characteristics and community context in decisions to divert or arrest

“…In a systematic review of the literature on race and the punishment of juvenile offenders, Engen et al (2002) found evidence of an impact of race across multiple studies, and in particular, that these effects were stronger in studies that examined earlier decision points in the justice process, such as arrest. Moreover, several studies have also found that these early justice decisions, especially among juveniles, can have a significant impact upon future offending and the receipt of harsher punishments (Claus et al, 2017;Lehmann et al, 2019;Lopes et al, 2012;Sampson & Laub, 1997;Spohn, 2009). These disparities in justice decisions are particularly relevant in relation to the labeling perspective and the application of diversion programs.…”

“…Within the sociology of punishment literature, there are numerous studies that document the association between community and individual factors and punishment decisions, and more specifically, the decision to divert (Claus et al, 2017; Hamilton et al, 2007; Hayes‐Smith & Hayes‐Smith, 2009; Leiber et al, 2016; Leiber & Stairs, 1999; Rodriguez, 2007; Rodriguez, 2013). There are a number of reasons to anticipate that these effects are of particular concern in the use of civil citation.…”

Have Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Declined Over Time? An Empirical Assessment of the DMC Mandate

“…What causes this initial disparity in referrals is really the crucial question—but it is an under-researched one (see, e.g. Claus et al, 2018). In part, this is due to the unique methodological challenges involved in assessing the causes of arrest disparities (see Neil & Winship, 2019).…”

From Revanchism to Inclusion: Institutional Forms of Planning and Police in Hyde Park, Chicago

“…Second, focusing on violence neglects other ways that police may serve newer, white gentrifying residents, thus affirming whiteness’ hierarchy in urban space (Lipsitz 2011). For example, police may more quickly respond to white citizens’ calls (Howerton 2006), while also more frequently diverting whites from criminal punishment (Claus, Vidal, and Harmon 2018; Mohamed and Fritsvold 2011). Thus I turn to the broad literature on the racial state, which provides a more thorough framework for analyzing police as a racial project.…”