Race Bias and the Importance of Consciousness for Criminal Defense Attorneys
15 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2012
Date Written: March 1, 2012
Abstract
The problems of racial bias pervade the criminal justice system. In this paper a subject that is not much talked about -- the issue of how racial bias affects defense attorneys and the need for defense attorneys to acknowledge implicit and explicit racial biases as a matter of practice -- is examined. Specifically, the paper covers problems of racial bias when defense attorneys make assumptions about (1) their clients, and (2) veniremen during voir dire.
Keywords: criminal defense, racial bias, criminal justice
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Lyon, Andrea D. and Lyon, Andrea D., Race Bias and the Importance of Consciousness for Criminal Defense Attorneys (March 1, 2012). Seattle University Law Review, Vol. 35, p. 755, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2127807
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN
If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday.