Sentencing Project

Experts Say It’s Rare that a ‘Jury of your Peers’ Applies to African Americans

“When a juror is unable to relate to a person accused of a crime, the defendant is more likely to face stiffer penalties, up to and including life in prison,” said Charlotte, N.C.-based Attorney Darlene Harris, who after trying a recent murder trial, spoke to a White male juror who shared that a lot of the jurors could not understand the African American defendant.

Black Men Still Incarcerated at Disproportionate Levels

“Systemic racism drives both poverty and the mass incarceration of low-income people, especially people of color. This cycle of poverty and criminal justice involvement feeds on itself and creates herculean barriers to achieving economic and social advancement, for those who have been justice involved and for their loved ones,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, FPWA CEO and executive director.