Race Bias and the Importance of Consciousness for Criminal Defense Attorneys

15 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2012

See all articles by Andrea D. Lyon

Andrea D. Lyon

Valparaiso University Law School; Valparaiso University Law School

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

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

Andrea D. Lyon (Contact Author)

Valparaiso University Law School ( email )

656 S. Greenwich St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.valpo.edu/law

Valparaiso University Law School ( email )

656 S. Greenwich St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.valpo.edu/law

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