Question 1

The __________ suggests that jurors deviate from their fact-finding mission in cases in which the evidence against the defendant is weak or contradictory.

Accepted Answer

The liberation hypothesis suggests that jurors may deviate from their fact-finding mission in cases where the evidence against the defendant is weak, contradictory, or confusing. This theory proposes that jurors may rely on extralegal factors, such as their own personal beliefs or biases, in reaching a verdict when the evidence is not clear or persuasive. Thus, Option B is the correct answer. The complacency hypothesis and contradiction theory are not relevant to this concept, and the nullification hypothesis suggests that jurors may deliberately ignore the law to acquit a defendant they believe has been wrongly accused or treated unfairly, which is different from the liberation hypothesis.

Question 2

____________________is a legally relevant factor that may very well be "race-linked. "

Accepted Answer

Prior criminal record is a legally relevant factor that can be considered during sentencing, and unfortunately it has been shown that people of color are often disproportionately targeted and convicted of crimes, leading to the term "racial profiling." Therefore, prior criminal record may very well be "race-linked."

Question 3

Steven Spitzer used the term "_________" to characterize that segment of the deviant population that is viewed as particularly threatening and dangerous.

Accepted Answer

Steven Spitzer used the term "social dynamite" to describe a segment of the deviant population perceived as particularly threatening and dangerous.

Question 4

When racial disparity in sentencing occurs in some contexts, but not others, it is called:

Accepted Answer

Subtle racial discrimination refers to less overt and more context-specific forms of discrimination, which can result in racial disparities in certain situations but not universally across all contexts.

Question 5

_________________is one example of a "process-related" factor that interacts with race to explain the disparity in sentencing between minorities and whites.

Accepted Answer

Pretrial detention is a process-related factor that can influence sentencing outcomes, as minorities are more likely to be detained pretrial, affecting their ability to prepare a defense and potentially leading to harsher sentences.

Question 6

Research comparing the sentences of illegal immigrants to U.S. citizens has found that illegal immigrants are more likely to be sentenced to prison, but are more likely to _____________________.

Accepted Answer

Illegal immigrants are more likely to be sentenced to prison, but studies have shown that on average, their prison sentences tend to be shorter than those of U.S. citizens. This may be due to factors such as plea bargaining, lack of prior criminal history, and efforts to avoid lengthy detention in immigration facilities.

Question 7

According to the research on disparity and sentencing, racial minorities are sentenced more harshly when the victim is ________________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that when the victim is white, racial minorities are more likely to receive harsher sentences. In contrast, when the victim is a minority, the racial disparity in sentencing is reduced.

Question 8

Studies conducted from the 1930s through the 1960s generally concluded that racial disparities in sentencing reflected __________ racial discrimination.

Accepted Answer

The word "overt" means obvious or easily observed, and in this context, it refers to intentional and direct discrimination. The studies conducted during this time period generally concluded that racial disparities in sentencing were a result of overt racial discrimination.

Question 9

Congress finally acted to reduce the crack/powder cocaine disparity under the _______________ Act of 2010.

Accepted Answer

The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 was enacted to reduce the sentencing disparity between offenses for crack and powder cocaine.

Question 10

Most sentencing research examines the sentences imposed on offenders convicted of:

Accepted Answer

Most sentencing research examines the sentences imposed on offenders convicted of felonies, which are more serious crimes that typically carry a potential prison sentence of more than one year. This includes crimes such as murder, robbery, sexual assault, and serious drug offenses. Research on sentencing for white collar crimes may also be conducted, but it is not as common as research on felonies.

Question 11

Sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s usually used __________ statistical techniques.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sentencing studies from the 1930s through the...

Question 12

Steffensmeier and Demuth's study of race and sentencing in Pennsylvania revealed that ________________had the highest likelihood of being incarcerated.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Steffensmeier and Demuth's study of race and...

Question 13

Ojmarrh Mitchell's meta-analysis of published research on race and sentencing found a larger effect size in jurisdictions without _________________.

Accepted Answer

Ojmarrh Mitchell's meta-analysis found a larger effect size in jurisdictions without structured sentencing guidelines. This suggests that judges have more discretion in setting sentences, which may lead to racial disparities.

Question 14

To be fair, a sentencing scheme must allow the judge or jury _______ to shape sentences to fit individuals and their crimes.

Accepted Answer

Discretion allows judges or juries to tailor sentences based on the specifics of each case, ensuring fairness and justice.

Question 15

There are _____ types of evidence of racial disparity in sentencing identified by the authors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are _____ types of evidence of...

Question 16

Reviews of sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s found that most were:

Accepted Answer

Many sentencing studies from the 1930s through the 1960s were found to have methodological flaws, such as small sample sizes, lack of control groups, and biased selection of cases.

Question 17

According to Zatz, the issue of __________ in sentencing "may well have been the major research inquiry for studies of sentencing in the 1970s and 1980s."

Accepted Answer

Zatz specifically mentions the issue of "racial disparity" in sentencing as the major research inquiry during the 1970s and 1980s.

Question 18

Recent studies examining racial disparity in sentencing have included _______________because of their popular image as "the model minority."

Accepted Answer

Asian Americans are often referred to as the "model minority," and recent studies have included them to examine racial disparities in sentencing.

Question 19

Concerns about the changes in the racial/ethnic makeup of a community, coupled with stereotypes linking race and ethnicity to drug use and drug-related crime and violence, may lead to __________ among sentencing officials.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Concerns about the changes in the racial/ethnic...

Question 20

The numerous studies of racial disparity in sentencing conducted during the 1970s and 1980s are notable for their __________ theoretical and methodological sophistication.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "notable for their" suggests that the studies are being highlighted for a specific characteristic. Given the context of academic studies, "variation in" theoretical and methodological sophistication is the most plausible answer, as it acknowledges the diverse approaches and levels of complexity in the studies conducted during that period.

Quiz 7: Race and Sentencing in Search of Fairness and Justice