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Using a Ratio Test to Estimate Racial Differences in Wrongful Conviction Rates

Author

Listed:
  • Bjerk, David J.

    (Claremont McKenna College)

  • Helland, Eric

    (Claremont McKenna College)

Abstract

We show that under arguably plausible assumptions regarding the DNA exoneration process, in expectation, the ratio of DNA exoneration rates across races among defendants convicted for the same crime in the same state provides an upper bound on the ratio of wrongful conviction rates across races among these defendants. Our estimates of this statistic reveal that among those sentenced to incarceration for rape in the United States between 1983 and 1997, the wrongful conviction rate among white defendants was less than two-thirds of what it was for black defendants. Our results with respect to murder are inconclusive.

Suggested Citation

  • Bjerk, David J. & Helland, Eric, 2017. "Using a Ratio Test to Estimate Racial Differences in Wrongful Conviction Rates," IZA Discussion Papers 10631, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10631
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp10631.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    wrongful convictions; racial bias; judicial bias; exonerations; DNA evidence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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