Racial tension is still very much a reality throughout the United States. Statistics show that law enforcement and courts are still discriminatory and that those who are black are more likely to feel the impact of racial injustice if they interact with the legal system in any way. It is important to know the impacts of racial tension to have a better understanding of what can be done to start working on fixing this problem.
Mental Health Concerns
Something that is important to understand about racial tension in America is that it can have a severe impact on the mental health of those who are black. They are more likely to suffer from stress related to being in contact with law enforcement or the court system, more likely to suffer depression as a result of discrimination, and more likely to have anxiety when dealing with any legal situation. In some individuals, this can lead to racial trauma, which can have a significant impact on their life and future.
Impact on Solving Crimes
There is a racial disparity that becomes apparent when looking at the rate in which crimes are solved. If the victim of a crime is white, it is far more likely that the case will be solved. For homicides in particular, there is a much lower chance that the crime will be solved and that the family will see justice if the victim is black. The reason behind this can vary significantly from case to case. Though this problem has existed for decades, it has increased in recent years and will continue to increase without systemic change.
Racial Disparity in Arrests
Racial disparity also appears when looking into arrest statistics. Black people make up only 14% of the population in America, but they make up around 33% of those in jail. A black person is more likely to be arrested than a white person, is more likely to spend time in jail because of the arrest, and is more likely to spend a longer amount of time in jail as a result of the arrest. Black people are more likely to spend more than 90 days in jail compared to white people and more likely to face harsher penalties for the same crime.
Wrongful Convictions
Another area where race can make a difference is wrongful convictions. According to recent studies on wrongful convictions, it is seven times more likely to happen to a black person than a white person. This can happen as a result of investigation techniques or the inability to accurately identify a potential suspect by witnesses. If a case is overturned after a wrongful conviction, the cases involving black people are 50% more likely to have involved police misconduct.
Discrimination and racial tension are still very much a part of the legal system today, but there is work to correct this and to help reduce the impact it can have. Until then, those who are a victim of discriminatory tactics before, during, or after an arrest will want to seek the help of a lawyer experienced in this area. There, they can get the help they need to work on getting a better result for their case or start helping with the changes needed in the legal system.
