The influence of victim ethnicity on arrest in violent crimes

As the Hispanic population in the USA grows, studies illustrate the importance of extending dichotomous examinations of race in criminal justice research. The current study seeks to build on this growing body of scholarship. Using data from the 2008 National Incident-Based Reporting System, we examine if victim race and ethnicity affects police clearance of nonlethal violent crimes (sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault). We draw on the victim-devaluing perspective as well as perceptions of police legitimacy in the Hispanic community to explain our results. Findings indicate that the race and ethnicity of the victim are related to police clearance of cases although the relationship between clearance and case solvability factors is stronger.