For Immediate Release
November 15, 2022
Today, The Prosecutorial Performance Indicators (The PPIs) released a pioneering report on racial disparities in prosecution in Broward County.
The data suggests that, compared to Hispanic and White defendants, Black defendants are:
- Least likely to have their case filed for prosecution, especially for felony charges;
- Most likely to have their top charge reduced in severity at filing, as well as increased in severity;
- Most likely to have their case dismissed, whether charged with a felony or a misdemeanor;
- Least likely to have their felony charge reduced after filing;
- Most likely to receive custodial and time-served-only sentences upon conviction, as compared to non-custodial sentences; and
- Especially more likely to receive custodial sentences than White defendants in negotiated pleas, as compared to open pleas.
Compared to similarly situated Black and White defendants, Hispanic defendants are:
- Least likely to experience charge changes at filing;
- Most likely to have their case pursued for prosecution;
- Most likely to have their felony charges reduced at disposition; and
- Least likely to receive jail and prison sentences upon conviction.
The report provides a number of recommendations as to how racial disparities can be further examined, addressed and prevented. This includes forming a dedicated racial equity committee internal to the State Attorney’s Office to evaluate existing policies, and seeking feedback from key community partners.
The full report can be found here. The PPIs are based at the Florida International University Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Loyola University of Chicago. Learn more about the PPIs.
Please contact mpearson@fiu.edu with any inquiries.
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