Research Symposium

BIO

Emily is a pre-law student from Broward County, Florida, majoring in real estate with a minor in law and philosophy. She has a strong interest in both criminal and property law, and her research in criminology reflects her passion for understanding the legal system and its impact on society. As a first-generation college student, she understands the importance of advocating for those who are often overlooked. Her work focuses on issues related to justice, housing, and social inequality, and she hopes to use her research to spark conversations that lead to real change. Outside of academics, she has served as an orientation leader and held leadership roles in student government, which have helped her develop strong communication and advocacy skills. She is committed to using her knowledge and experiences to challenge injustices, support marginalized communities, and create a lasting impact in the legal field.

Misdemeanor (In)Justice

Abstract

It is estimated that over 13 million misdemeanor cases are filed in the United States each year. Recent research has highlighted some of the concerns related to the misdemeanor system of justice in the United States, including violations of due process and practices that contribute to inequities. The current research intends to explore the misdemeanor system in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit to understand the extent to which misdemeanor courtrooms are complying with the law and to understand some of the factors associated with non-compliance and other potential sources of unfairness. To accomplish this, a team of undergraduate student researchers conducted systematic courtroom observations using a custom form across the circuit, comprised of six separate courtrooms. Observations included misdemeanor court arraignments and criminal traffic proceedings. Courtroom observations were completed in both rural and urban settings. Drawing on the data elicited during courtroom observations, future analyses will systematically explore local courtroom practices to capture the extent of legal compliance and to identify factors associated with non-compliance in legal proceedings. Our findings will be shared with local stakeholders to inform discussions of the misdemeanor system of justice, including ways to promote best practices.

Keywords: criminal justice, due process, courts, mixed methods research form