The statistics do reveal stark racial disparities in California arrests.
One of the big fears of opponents to criminal justice reform in California is that if penalties for crimes were reduced in any way, crime rates would soar. A recent report has demonstrated that at least one measure of crime — arrest rates — has actually dropped to its lowest levels in decades.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, in 2016, the arrest rate in California was its lowest in any other year study, at 3,428 arrests per 100,000 people. The Public Policy Institute of California has studied arrest rates in California since 1980. Since its peak in 1989, the arrest rate has dropped 58% to its low in 2016.
Yet as a seasoned criminal attorney Los Angeles, CA can explain, this report isn’t all good news. The study also revealed that there are significant racial disparities in arrest rates across the state. African Americans represent just 5.7 percent of the overall population of California — yet made up 16.3 percent of all arrests in 2016. For white people and Latinos, the arrest rate was proportional to their representation in the community (at 38.1 percent of the population and 36% of arrests for white people, and 39% of the population and 41% of arrests for Latinos).
The difference in arrest rates was more pronounced in certain areas of the state, such as in and around the Bay Area. In San Francisco, an African American person was 7.75 times more likely to be arrested than a white person in 2016. In neighboring San Mateo County, an African American person was 9.3 times more likely to be arrested than a white person in the same time person. Here in Los Angeles County, an African American person was 3.9 times more likely to be arrested than a white person in 2016.
These arrest rates only tell part of the story of criminal justice reform. The rest of the story can be see in the impact on Californians’ lives, including those who will have a better chance of achieving a fair outcome given these changes to the law, such as the elimination of the cash bail system.
If you have been arrested, there is help. A skilled lawyer can help you by fighting for your rights and your freedom throughout the process, from arraignment through pretrial motions and beyond. A skilled criminal attorney Los Angeles, CA can negotiate a favorable plea deal or even a dismissal or reduction of charges, or take your case to trial to aggressively defend you against the charges.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping clients who have been charged with a range of California crimes. Contact us today 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation or to learn more from an experienced criminal attorney Los Angeles, CA.
