The impact of race on perceptions of criminal injustice

Trust in the State Courts: Hispanic and African American Communities

“…The results presented above were in part consistent with previous studies. The findings indicating that African American respondents held lower levels of trust in state courts when compared to Caucasian respondents were consistent with the findings of Hurwitz et al (2005), Federico et al (2005, Benesh (2006), Henderson et al (1997), Young (1991, Overby et al (2004), Rottman andTomkins (1999) andEnomoto (1999). The findings for Hispanic respondents were not consistent with the previous studies of Sun and Wu (2006); however, the findings were consistent with Wenzel (2003)'s study which found that Hispanics had higher levels of trust in state courts when compared to African Americans.…”

“…Previous studies concerning Hispanics and their trust in local courts have had a number of inconsistent results. Studies conducted by Hurwitz and Peffley (2005), Federico and Holmes (2005), Benesh (2006), Henderson et al (1997), Young (1991), Overby et al (2004), Rottman et al (1999), Enomoto (1999), and Gibson and Caldiera (1992) have all found fairly consistent responses regarding African Americans and their level of trust in local courts, as well as the Supreme Court. The majority of the studies indicate that African American respondents held little trust in their state courts.…”

“…Additionally, these studies assessed whether racial bias has an influence on Caucasian's trust in local courts. Hurwitz and Peffley (2005), Federico and Holmes (2005), Benesh (2006), Henderson et al (1997), Young (1991), Overby et al (2004), Rottman and Tomkins (1999), Enomoto (1999), and Gibson and Caldiera (1992) are some of the studies which have looked at African Americans and Caucasian's level of trust in local courts and whether bias plays a role in that trust. In an overall study of the courts, Overby et al (2004) found that African Americans were much less likely to trust local courts.…”

“…Studies analyzing Caucasian's views towards the American criminal justice system, find recognition of differential treatment of African Americans and the presence of bias. Henderson et al (1997)'s study examines the views Caucasians hold towards the court system. The study's findings indicate that Caucasian respondents believed that African Americans were subject to differential treatment in the criminal justice system.…”

Rethinking the concept of prejudice: immigrants-knowledge-based analysis in Turku, Finland

“…Studies exist to back up this point, for instance in the USA, where it was argued that whites were less inclined than blacks to believe that police were biased against ethnic minorities (Gallup Organization, 1997;Henderson et al, 1997;Weitzer and Tuch, 1999). African immigrants are likely to believe that the Finnish police generally treat them unfairly compared to the native born Finns.…”