Question

When it comes to rape cases in the courtroom, do you think race plays any type of role shaping the jury or any other members in the courtroom? If yes explain why, and if not explain why you don't think it does?

Answer 1

A defendant's race can play a role in shaping the judgments and perceptions of the jury and other members in the courtroom. White jurors are often biased against Black defendants, while Black jurors tend to show be biased in favor of Black defendants (Ellsworth & Sommers, 2000). Past history has shown that Black defendants suffer much more abuse in comparison to their White counterparts and until recently, White suspects were not brought to trial for alleged crimes against Black victims (Kennedy, 1997). Although much progress has been made with respect to racial equality, one cannot conclude that race no longer has an impact in the courtroom.

References:

Kennedy, R. (1997). Race, crime, and the law. New York: Pantheon Books.

Ellsworth, P. C. and Sommers, S. R. (2000). Race in the Courtroom: Perceptions of Guilt and Dispositional Attributions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26(11), 1367-79.