Discrimination in Sentencing on the Basis of Afrocentric Features†

INTRODUCTION: SENTENCING AND RACE........................ 328 I. Laboratory Studies on the Influence of Afrocentric Features on Judgment ....................................................... 333 A. Perceptions of Afrocentric Features .................................333 B. Demonstrating the Influence of Afrocentric Features on Judgment................................................334 C. Exploring Some Limiting Conditions.............................336 1. The Effect of Cautionary Instructions ................. 337 2. Feature-Based Stereotyping in the Presence of Additional Relevant Information ........................ 338 II. The Influence of Afrocentric Features on Sentencing Decisions........................................................ 339 A. The Decision to Study Sentencing in Florida....................341 B. The Ebb and Flow of Sentencing Policies in Florida ...........342 C. The Methodology of the Study.....................................345 1. The Inmates in the Study, Their Backgrounds, and the Assessment of Their Facial Features ....... 345 2. Legitimate Influences on the Length of Sentences in Florida............................................ 347 3. Sentences as Influenced by Racial Category and Afrocentric Features ..................................... 348 4. Evaluating the Results ........................................ 350 CONCLUSION............................................................................. 352 APPENDIX.................................................................................... 353