THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE OF BLACK DEFENDANTS IN DRUG TRIALS - EVIDENCE OF CLAIMS-MAKING

Prosecuting and defence barristers 'participation in trial is of princ ipal significance in determining a case outcome. It is the intention o f this article to examine the role that barristers play in shaping the representation of black people in-the criminal statistics. Detailed o bservations of drag offence trials concerning black defendants demonst rate-this robin the way barristers socially construct drug cases throu gh the process of claims-making-an activity that entails an impressive utilization of language to persuade. The study describes how, within this claims-making process, racially imbued knowledge seemed to inform barristers 'presentation of the defendants' cases before the jury. In conclusion the findings question the authenticity of criminal statist ics as an indication of guilt.