Racial

North Carolina Court Considers Resentencing in Landmark Racial Bias Death Penalty Case

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Attorneys representing Hasson Bacote, a Black man sentenced to death in 2009, are advocating for a life sentence citing North Carolina’s history of racial bias in jury selection as a compelling argument for resentencing. Bacote’s sentence was delivered by a jury comprised predominantly of white members – 10 white and two Black jurors – after his involvement in a felony murder was established by the court. The latest arguments were presented on Wednesday, unfolding Bacote as the central figure in a broader examination of North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act, instituted in 2009 … Read more

New Report Highlights Persistent Racial Disparities in Law School Admissions and Bar Passage Rates Despite Increases in Diversity Initiatives

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WASHINGTON — A recent report from AccessLex Institute exposes stubborn racial and ethnic disparities in law school admissions and outcomes, despite some gains in diversity and financial aid. The Legal Education Data Deck update illustrates ongoing challenges in the affordability, accessibility, and perceived value of Juris Doctor programs across the United States. Tiffane Cochran, vice president of research at AccessLex Institute, acknowledged the mixed outcomes. “While we see improvements in diversity and increased financial aid, significant impediments remain in making legal education accessible and valuable to all,” she said. The report highlights a persistent gap … Read more

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Faces Pressure to Resolve $315 Million Racial Profiling Case Backlog by 2026, Amid Critiques of Outsourced Investigation Efforts

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PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, grappling with a lingering scandal over racial profiling dating back to 2007, continues to face oversight by a court-appointed monitor, a predicament costing taxpayers nearly $315 million to date. This oversight follows a significant lawsuit during former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s tenure, which accused the agency of systematically targeting Latinos. Currently, the sheriff’s office is addressing a substantial backlog of over 1,000 internal investigations involving its own employees, some of which have been unresolved for years. Judge G. Murray Snow, who presides over the case, has recently expressed his … Read more

California Death Row Cases Undergo Resentencing Amid Revelations of Racial Bias in Jury Selection

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Los Angeles, CA – A new study has highlighted persistent racial disparities influencing death penalty sentences in California, coinciding with the commencement of resentencing proceedings for convictions marred by discriminatory jury practices. The report throws into sharp focus the broader implications of what many advocates highlight as an inherently flawed judicial process. The comprehensive analysis, conducted over several years, studied cases from the last three decades. It found that defendants of color were significantly more likely to be sentenced to death when the jury selection process had indications of racial bias. This form of systemic … Read more