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Gangs Membership and Race

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Submitted By ray1023
Words 1080
Pages 5
Running head: Literary review

1

Ray Garcia
Dr. Valenzuela
CJ 302
11/25/2013

Abstract
This year in class we have learned and applied many theories to certain crimes and court cases that have been conducted through the past. In this paper, we will look at two specific theories on how they are being used to explain or discover links between certain situations and factors. These theories allow us to see crimes in different perspective. Specifically, the theory’s in this paper we will explore rational choice theory on labeling and the linkage between arrest and gang membership, social control and differential association in relation to gangs. Each article gives us a study or situation that shows the theory’s effectiveness in explaining certain situations or actions.
Gang Membership and Race as Risk Factors for Juvenile Arrest
Michael Tapia article piece, “Gang membership and race as risk factor for juvenile arrest” addresses the linkage between arrests and gang membership while also exploring their race and ethnicity in correlation with their gangs. Throughout his research, Tapia shows that “gang members and racial minorities experienced undue arrest”(Tapia, 2011) which can be understood that gang members and minorities, in some cases, are easy targets for arrests because they easily fit the description or label of a law breaker or delinquent. These descriptions that law enforcement and the media portray on these gang members and minorities can eventually lead to future false

Running head: Literary review

2

arrests no matter if they are justified or not. Typically, law enforcement sees gang members as guilty by association; however, in most cases, minorities are found guilty by racial preference in accordance of gang affiliation and or membership. Also, juveniles are being targeted for arrest because of the labels given by law

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