Hispanics, Asians and other minorities were excluded because of the small numbers of random cases. All the cases involved felonies. Bridges says Washington state judges weigh juvenile sentences by the severity of the crime, the offender's criminal history and age. The study found minorities tended to get high-end recommendations more often. Bridges adds that judges of-ten follow probation reports when handing down sentences.
Nationwide figures add weight to the results.
Although less likely to be detained, white youths accounted for 52 percent of such cases, while black youths comprised 45 percent, according to the Justice Department study. Although he didn't dispute the results, Pierce County, Wash., court administrator Dan Erker says the study relies on data from 1990-1991, and that courts had made strides in addressing juvenile issues since then. Erker's court system includes Tacoma, part of the area encompassed by the study. Although several juvenile justice experts contacted had not read the report, they were not surprised. Washington state Supreme Court Justice Charles Smith, a one-time juvenile court judge who chairs the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, says the study may be brought up in an investigation by the commission.