RACE OF APPELLANT, SENTENCING GUIDELINES, AND DECISION-MAKING IN CRIMINAL APPEALS - A RESEARCH NOTE

Many studies have examined race and the processing of criminal cases a t trial court. Practically no studies exist on race and decisionmaking in criminal appeals. This research note explores the influence of rac e on decisions reached in criminal appeals from two Florida trial cour ts to an intermediate appellate court. The results indicate that Afric an-American appellants who had been sentenced in excess of the recomme nded maximum sentence were more likely to have the trial court's decis ion affirmed on appeal. The implications of the findings of the study also are discussed.