MISDEMEANOR SENTENCING DECISIONS - THE CUMULATIVE DISADVANTAGE EFFECTOF GRINGO JUSTICE

Research that examines the effect of Latino ethnicity on misdemeanor s entencing decisions is virtually nonexistent. In this study, the autho rs analyze 1992 misdemeanor sentences in three nonurban Nebraska count ies with relatively large Latino populations. Support for ''gringo jus tice'' emanates as Latinos overall had significantly higher proportion s of individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses other than simple t raffic violations (i.e., misdemeanor alcohol and drug offenses). They also were recipients of a higher mean number of charges. Subsequently, Latinos received significantly higher mean fines and mean days probat ion but not mean days jail in comparison to their White counterparts. Findings suggest that biased discretion in the enforcement, processing , and sentencing of misdemeanor offenses is but one part of the cumula tive disadvantage that Latinos face in the overall criminal justice sy stem.