DOCSLIB.ORG

1 Sentencing Disparity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1 Sentencing Disparity 1 SENTENCING DISPARITY: USE OF TRANSCRIPT ANALYSIS AS A METHOD TO DETERMINE SALIENT FACTORS IN FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SENTENCING PROCEEDINGS By Jonathan L. Sitek, M.J.A. A doctoral thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the Doctor of Law and Policy Program at Northeastern University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Law and Policy Under the supervision of Dr. Golnoosh Hakimdavar College of Professional Studies Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts June 11, 2021 2 DEDICATION This paper is dedicated to my family, friends, and coworkers, for their encouragement and support throughout my entire educational experience. Additionally, this is dedicated to all the men and women of the criminal justice system, who do their level best day after day to ensure every person has access to equal justice under the law. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee members—Dr. Hakimdavar and Dr. Crow, for their support, guidance, commentary, and editorial ability. And all the professors at the DLP, whose experiential teaching styles were invaluable in connecting concepts and theory to real-world implementation. I would like to acknowledge Paul Collette, MA, CAC, LADC, for his constant guidance, encouragement, assistance, and inspiration during the difficult times. Additional thanks to Jennifer Amato, Brian Topor, Michael Rafferty, and Jesse Gomes, who checked in to make sure I was okay. Thanks to January Welks for being as excited about my doctorate as I was. I would also like to thank Greg Campos and Dr. Amisha Parekh de Campos for their candid discussions at the start of, and throughout, my journey. Thanks to Cohort 13, for tolerating my feeble attempts at humor. Special thanks to Barbara, for allowing me to grunt, groan, huff, puff, and vent when needed. To Greg Estevez for his constant check-ins, debriefs, and general life observations. Never has there been a finer salesman for grounded theory. To Bruce Walker, for understanding that imitation is truly intended to be the sincerest form of flattery—you were tracking just fine. And to Scott Allendevaux, for having the best home office of us all, and being willing to fight nice over Zoom. Your intelligence, humor, and generosity are second to none, sir. Thanks to Ann, Eric, and Julianna, for understanding my absence over these years and checking in as part of your bedtime routines. Finally, I would like to thank JLA, CWM, VLB, and TSW for their letters of recommendation and their encouragement when I began this journey. 4 ABSTRACT This study uses qualitative transcript analysis to determine whether transcript analysis is a viable method to study the issue of sentencing disparity. Child pornography sentencing hearings were chosen due to the high rate of departures from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines scheme. The intent was to determine whether common causes of disparity identified in the existing literature would be detectable via coding and analysis. A blended theoretical framework was used in an effort to capture as many factors as possible. The results indicated that transcript analysis could detect factors influencing disparity, with limitations. The results also highlighted the salient factors in the proceedings. In robust sentence explanations, judges laid out explicitly their reasoning. Other judges mainly relied on the papers filed in the case and did not elaborate on their reasoning. Additionally, transcript analysis could not detect many demographic characteristics of the sentencing judges. Further, factors such as a defendant’s religion, political affiliation, or ethnicity were not detectable unless a party discussed those factors in open court. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chpater 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10 Background and Context......................................................................................................... 10 Law and Policy Review...........................................................................................................13 Problem Statement……………………………………………………………………….......19 Purpose of the Study…………………………………………………………………………19 Research Question........................................................................................………………...20 Theoretical Framework…………...................……………………………………….………20 Definitions…………………………………………………………………………………...25 Assumptions…………………………………………………………………………………27 Scope and Delimitations……………………………………………………………………..27 Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………...27 Significance………………………………………………………………………………….28 Summary……………………………………………………………………………………..29 Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 30 Literature Search Strategy....................................................................................................... 30 Literature Review Related to Key Concepts ........................................................................... 31 Summary……………………………………………………………………………………..42 Chapter 3: Research Methodology ............................................................................................ 44 Research Design and Rationale .............................................................................................. 44 Method. ................................................................................................................................... 47 Positionality Statement………………………………………………………………………49 Participant Selection..............................................................………………………………..50 6 Access to Data and Data Collection ……………………………………………………51 Data Analysis Plan.............................................................................................................51 Trusthworthiness................................................................................................................55 Ethical Procedures.............................................................................................................56 Summary............................................................................................................................58 Chapter 4: Results ...................................................................................................................... 60 Description of the Data ........................................................................................................... 60 Description of the Data Analysis Process ............................................................................... 61 Description of the Findings......................................................................................................64 Chapter 4 Summary.................................................................................................................74 Chapter 5: Recommendations and Conclusions ...................................................................... 77 Summary of the Research Results .......................................................................................... 77 Discussion of the Research Results ........................................................................................ 81 In relation to the theoretical framework / conceptual framework......................................83 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................87 References .................................................................................................................................... 91 Appendix A.................................................................................................................................105 7 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Top Five Initial Nodes in Frequency .............................................................................. 62 Table 2. Second Round Coding: Major Themes and Sub-themes ................................................ 63 8 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Themes and Sub-ordinate Themes ................................................................................ 73 9 LIST OF ACRONYMS USC United States Code: The codified laws of the U.S., cited by title and chapter USSC United States Sentencing Commission: Agency responsible for promulgating the Sentencing Guidelines USSG United States Sentencing Guidelines: Compilation of recommended imprisonment ranges, in months, for use by federal judges 10 Chapter 1: Introduction The concept of the judicial system in the United States evokes a sense of fair administration of justice through fair and uniform punishment. One would expect that the penalties imposed on similarly-situated offenders should be relatively the same. Historically, this has not been the case, and disparities in sentences imposed on offenders have occurred. The issue of sentencing disparity has prompted a large number of studies by legal scholars, social scientists, and criminal justice professionals (see, e.g., Anderson et al., 1999; Frankel, 1972; Hartley & Tillyer, 2019; Kim et al., 2009; Logue, 2009; Saccomano, 2019; Spohn, 2005; Steffensmeier & Britt, 2001; Ulmer, 2011). The ability for a criminal defendant to be treated in a manner consistent with other criminal defendants, to be sentenced similarly for similar conduct, and to be judged by a judicial official whose analysis of the case will lead to a sentence consistent with other judges who have analyzed similar cases, is essential to
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Translation Studies
    BACHELOR OF ARTS III YEAR ENGLISH LITERATURE PAPER – II: TRANSLATION STUDIES BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION COIMBATORE – 641 046. ADDENDUM B.A. English Literature – III year Study material of Paper II – TRANSLATION STUDES SL. No. Page No. Corrections Carried Over 1 -- Add the subject “Application of Translation in Tirukkural and the Odyssey” in Unit – V of the syllabus. 2. -- Add reference (16) Sri V.V.S. Aiyar. 2005. Tirukkural: English Translation. Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, (17) Homer – Allen Mandelbaum – Roman Maria Luisa – De. 1990. The Odyssey of Homer: a new verse translation. University of California Press. 3. 132 Add in Lesson – V – Place of Style in Translation under Unit-V. (f) Application of Translation in Tirukkural and the Odyssey. 4. 158 Add the title under Unit-V Annexure –I (i) Tirukkural (ii) The Odyssey Paper – II: TRANSLATION STUDIES Syllabus Objectives: The course is intended to initiate the student to the translation discipline, its chronological history and provide a better understanding of the different types of translations as well as its various theories and applications. It further aims to equip the student with a proper knowledge of the aspects of creative literature, the function of Mass media in society and the various issues involved in translation. Unit – I: History of Translation Nature of translation studies – The Function of language – Structuralist Theory and Application – Translation through the ages – Dryden’s classification of translation models. Unit – II: Theories of Translation Types of translation – Translation theories: Ancient and Modern – Nida’s three base models of translation – (Nida’s model Cont...)Transfer and Restructuring – Linguistics of translation.
    [Show full text]
  • “Daoism and Confucianism” In: Liu X. (Eds) Dao Companion to Daoist Philosophy
    Lai Karyn. (2015) “Daoism and Confucianism” In: Liu X. (eds) Dao Companion to Daoist Philosophy. Dao Companions to Chinese Philosophy, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht, pp. 489-511. This is the post-print version. The definitive version is to be found at: https://link-springer- com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/chapter/10.1007/978-90- 481-2927-0_21 This chapter relies on a distinction between Confucianism and Daoism made during the Han dynasty (漢朝: 206 BCE–220 CE) and further perpetuated in Chinese intellectual history. It examines the connections between pre-Qin (秦朝: 221– 206 BCE) Daoist and Confucian philosophies, focusing on their differences as well as similarities. While it has been traditionally accepted that there are many tensions, and even antagonism, between concepts and approaches in Daoist and Confucian thought, the discussion here also focuses on the historical linkages and philosophical continuities that at times blur the distinction between the two. The primary comparison here will be conducted at three levels: the individual within its environment, the socio-political world, and the cultivation of the self. These three levels of analysis are organized in three sections, from the more inclusive to the more specific. However, the sections are only theoretical divisions, since both Daoist and Confucian philosophies emphasize a concept of selfhood that focuses on an individual’s relationships with others, within a larger natural and cosmic environment. To more fully understand these comparisons, it is important also to examine the intellectual climate within which interactions between so- called Daoism and Confucianism took place. These details, including information gleaned from relatively recently discovered texts, are not merely tangential to our understanding of both philosophies.
    [Show full text]
  • A Theological Meditation on Augustine's De Trinitate and Laozi's Dao De Jing
    In Search of Transcendent Order in A Violent World: A Theological Meditation on Augustine's de Trinitate and Laozi's Dao De Jing Author: Chan Hiutung Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/1989 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2009 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Theology IN SEARCH OF TRANSCENDENT ORDER IN THE VIOLENT WORLD: A THEOLOGICAL MEDITATION OF LAOZI’S DAODE JING AND AUGUSTINE’S DE TRINITATE a dissertation by Hiutung Chan Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2008 1 © copyright by HIUTUNG CHAN 2008 2 IN SEARCH OF TRANSCENDENT ORDER IN A VIOLENT WORLD: A THEOLOGICAL MEDITATION OF LAOZI’S DAODE JING AND AUGUSTINE’S DE TRINITATE Abstract by Hiutung Chan This dissertation is a comparative study of spiritual cultivation in Early Daoism and the spiritual teaching of Augustine’s Christianity. My goal is to examine how early Daoism’s founder, Laozi, and the Christian bishop, Augustine of Hippo, characterize the fulfillment of humanity through religious transformation. My argument is that the metaphysical speculations that figure in their works---and which scholarly readers often emphasize---are offshoots of profound practical, soteriological concerns. These soteriological concerns reveal that the primary interest for both writers was to discover those spiritual and intellectual practices that could most effectively mediate between human experience and the manifestation of transcendent order. This study takes its inspiration from pioneering instances of comparative theology (particularly works by Francis Clooney S.J.
    [Show full text]
  • Cops Divert and “Soft” Cops Charge: Trait Attitudes Vs
    ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: WHEN “TOUGH” COPS DIVERT AND “SOFT” COPS CHARGE: TRAIT ATTITUDES VS. STATE SITUATIONAL NARRATIVES IN A FOCAL CONCERNS PROCESS OF POLICE DECISION-MAKING Molly P. Slothower, Doctor of Philosophy, 2019 Dissertation directed by: Distinguished Professor Dr. Lawrence Sherman, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland Research Question Do police officers’ overall “tough” or “soft” attitudes toward crime and defendants determine how they handle discretionary cases, or does each officer look at the elements in each case to see whether they should act “tough” or “soft” in the given situation? This study tests whether police decisions to divert cases from prosecution into diversionary out-of-court disposals are driven by “trait attitudes”—each officer’s overall “tough” or “soft” attitudes toward defendants, which are stable characteristics of each officer regardless of the situation—versus officers’ “state attitudes”—their narratives about the meaning of specific elements present in each case as they make decisions. Methods Thirty-four officers in a large urban force completed attitudinal surveys and 20 case study vignettes. For each vignette, officers recorded: each relevant element (e.g. criminal history, alcohol involvement); whether each element pushed them toward prosecution or diversion, and why; and whether they would prosecute or divert the case. Officers recorded 2,241 elements across 645 case responses. Using primarily hierarchical logistic regression models, this study tests the impact of trait attitudes versus state narratives on recommended case outcomes. Results Officer decision-making was more influenced by officers’ interpretations of whether elements signaled each defendant was “reformable” or “incorrigible” than by their overall “tough” or “soft” attitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Justice Ver Final
    Velasquez Valenzuela, Javier (2018) Doing justice: sentencing practices in Scottish sheriff courts. PhD thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/39042/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Doing Justice: Sentencing Practices in Scottish Sheriff Courts Javier Velásquez Valenzuela Licenciado en Ciencias Jurídicas, Abogado & MSt en Derecho Penal Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Social and Political Sciences, College of Social Sciences University of Glasgow October 2018 2 Abstract This thesis is an examination of the sentencing practices of judges (known as Sheriffs) in criminal cases heard in the Scottish sheriff courts. Despite the importance of sentencing, there is little knowledge of how exactly Sheriffs deal with cases. In particular, little is known about why and in which cases they decide that a custodial sentence is appropriate in the context of summary court proceedings. This research aims to understand the rationales behind the Sheriffs’ sentencing practice and, through this exploration, tries to examine how Sheriffs currently understand their role as sentencers.
    [Show full text]
  • Newton Vs. Leibniz: Intransparency Vs. Inconsistency
    Newton vs. Leibniz: Intransparency vs. Inconsistency Karin Verelst Vrije Universiteit Brussel1 [email protected] The only way to avoid becoming a metaphysician is to say nothing E.A. Burtt Abstract Introduction The early modern debates on the nature of space enjoy a renewed interest in the recent philosophical literature. Focal points of the discussion are the opposition between the “absolute” vs. the “relational ” conception of space and the related issue of its presumed substantival nature. Quintessential formulations of the key positions in the debate remain the viewpoints attributed to Newton and Leib- niz. But scholarly disagreement concerning them remains stark. Especially with respect to Newton the defended interpretations range from anti-metaphysical readings (based on the notorious “I do not feign hypotheses”) to at first glance almost theological readings that have him speculate about the relation between God and world. Leibniz, on the other hand, is presented as Newton’s counter- part, who sets out tackling mechanical problems with an a priori metaphysical scheme — inherited from Descartes — already laid out in his mind. But Newton arXiv:1203.2292v1 [physics.hist-ph] 10 Mar 2012 clearly conceived of himself as a natural philosopher [52, p. 2], while Leibniz, certainly in his earlier years, would have insisted on his use of strictly mechanical concepts only [10, Introduction]. We believe that, in order to be able to judge on the “metaphysical degree” of the positions taken by our protagonists, we should understand more clearly what metaphysics itself is about. This question is often ignored. We shall show 1FUND-CLEA, Dept. of Mathematics.
    [Show full text]
  • College of Sciences & Humanities Faculty Publications 2018-2019
    College of Sciences & Humanities Faculty Publications 2018-2019 Anthropology Journal Articles • Bhaumik, S. S., Placek, C., Kochumoni, R., Lekha, T. R., Prabhakaran, D., Hitsman, B., Huffman, M. D., Harikrishnan, S., & Goenka, S. (2018). Tobacco cessation among acute coronary syndrome patients in Kerala, India: Patient and provider perspectives. Qualitative Health Research. doi:10.1177/1049732318817047. • Dussubieux, L., Hill, M. A., & Lattanzi, G. D. (2019). External standards for the LA-ICP-MS analysis of North American copper artifacts: Looking at different approaches. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.02.026 • Hill, M. A., Lattanzi, G. D., Sanger, M., & Dussubieux, L. (2019) Elemental analysis of Late Archaic copper from the McQueen Shell Ring, St. Catherine's Island, Georgia. Journal of Archaeological Sciences: Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.01.017 • Hill, M. A., Seeman, M. F., Nolan, K. C., & Dussubieux, L. (2018). An empirical evaluation of copper procurement and distribution: Elemental analysis of Scioto Valley Hopewell copper. Journal of Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. doi:10.1007/s12520-017-0540-3 • Krupp, K., Placek, C., Wilcox, M., Ravi, K., Srinivas, V., Arjun, A., & Madhivanan, P. (2018). Financial decision making power is associated with moderate to severe anemia: A prospective cohort study among pregnant women in rural South India. Midwifery, 61, 15-21. • Lang, M., Purzycki, B. G., Apicella, C. L., Atkinson, Q. D., Bolyanatz, A., Cohen, E., Handley, C., Kundtová Klocová, E., Lesorogol, C., Mathew, S., McNamara, R. A., Moya, C., Placek, C., Soler, M., Vardy, T., Weigel, J. L., Willard, A. K., Xygalatas, D., Norenzayan, A., & Henrich, J.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher Education Oriented Materials
    TEACHER EDUCATION ORIENTED MATERIALS Dr. S. SATHIYAGIRIRAJAN (Former Professor of Education, DDE ; Former Director, UGC - Academic Staff College, (Human Resources Development Centre) MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY, MADURAI – 625 021, TN, INDIA (i) FOREWORD Fellow Teacher educators, This is a collection of several Teacher Education oriented materials . This is supplementary and complementary to my ‘Tools of Research for studies in Education’. I believe this will be useful to you all in your academic and research ventures. This again is a modest attempt of author to be of some service to you all. Feedback is most welcome. S. SATHIYAGIRIRAJAN. ( ii) TABLE OF CONTENTS S. No Topic Page ( s ) 1. Teacher Educator Competency 1 – 7 2. Teaching of Psychology 8 – 10 3. Attitude Towards Learning of Psychology 11 - 14 4. Attitude Towards Teaching of Psychology 15 - 18 5. Psychological Attitude 19 - 22 6. A Model Lesson Plan 23 – 26 7. Evaluation Research in Teacher Education 27 - 29 8. Teacher as a Professional 29 9. Thought for the Teachers’ Day 29 – 30 10. An Entry Behaviour Test Battery (for ‘B.Ed’ Students) 31 – 65 11. A Research Readiness Test (for Research scholars in Education) 66 – 78 12. Guidelines for Journal Articles (theory / research oriented) 79 – 82 13. Guidelines for Preparation and Presentation of Seminar papers 83 – 85 14. Self – Instructional Packages (A) A unit in Educational Psychology (for B.Ed) students of Distance Teacher Education 86 – 98 15. (B) A unit in Educational Research (for M.Ed students of Distance Teacher Education) 99 – 110 16. A final word for Teacher – educators 111 1 1. TEACHER EDUCATOR COMPETENCY (Structured by S.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright © and Moral Rights for This Thesis Are Retained by the Author And/Or Other Copyright Owners
    Janarthanan, Dhivya (2019) The country near the city : social space and dominance in Tamil Nadu. PhD thesis. SOAS University of London. http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30970 Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non‐commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this thesis, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", name of the School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination. The Country near the City: Social Space and Dominance in Tamil Nadu Dhivya Janarthanan Thesis submitted for the degree of PhD 2015 Department of Sociology and Anthropology School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London ABSTRACT The Country near the City: Social Space and Dominance in Tamil Nadu Recent anthropological, geographical, and historical studies have exorcised the conceptualisation of space as an empty container. Yet the anthropology of space often limits itself to examining representations of space instead of comprehending the wider spectrum of relations and processes that produce social space itself. Within the field of South Asian ethnography, this has, combined with the rejection of the ‘legacies’ of village studies, cast a shadow over the village as an ontologically and epistemologically relevant category.
    [Show full text]
  • Contributing Editors
    Contributing Editors Amanda Zastrow Graduate Assistant Jamie Utphall Graduate Assistant Karen G. Havholm Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Director, Center of Excellence Ann Statz Business Specialist 2 Table of Contents Academic Skills Center ............................................................................................................................... 3 Accounting and Finance ............................................................................................................................. 3 American Indian Studies ............................................................................................................................ 7 Art and Design............................................................................................................................................. 7 Biology .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Business Communications .......................................................................................................................... 8 Chemistry..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Communication and Journalism ............................................................................................................. 11 Communication Sciences and Disorders ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter One: Understanding Criminology Introduction
    Dear students, stay safe and be hard for every challenges- hope to see you again Chapter One: Understanding Criminology Introduction The word ‘Criminology’ originated in 1890. The general meaning of the term is “the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon; of criminals; and of penal institutions.” Prof. Kenny analyzed /defined/ described that “Criminology is a branch of criminal science which deals with crime causation, analysis and prevention of crime.” Criminology as a branch of knowledge is concerned with those particular conducts of human behavior which are prohibited by society. It is, therefore, a socio-legal study which seeks to discover the causes of criminality and suggests the remedies to reduce crimes. Therefore, it follows that criminology and criminal policy are interdependent and mutually support one another. Thus criminology seeks to study the phenomenon of criminality in its entirety. The problem of crime control essentially involves the need for a study of the forces operating behind the incidence of crime and a variety of co-related factors influencing the personality of the offender. This has eventually led to development of modern criminology during the preceding two centuries. The purpose of studying this branch of knowledge is to analyze different aspects of crime and device effective measures for treatment of criminals to bring about their re-socialization and rehabilitation in the community. Thus criminology as a branch of knowledge has a practical utility in so far as it aims at bringing about the welfare of the community as a whole. The principles of criminology serve as effective guidelines for formulation of penal policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Front Matter Template
    Copyright by Jessica L. Dunning-Lozano 2015 The Dissertation Committee for Jessica L. Dunning-Lozano Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Removal, Isolation, and Discipline in Texas Schools: An Ethnographic Study of a 6th - 12th Grade Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Committee: Javier Auyero, Co-Supervisor Robert Crosnoe, Co-Supervisor Simone Browne Ben Carrington John Hartigan Removal, Isolation, and Discipline in Texas Schools: An Ethnographic Study of a 6th - 12th Grade Disciplinary Alternative Education Program by Jessica L. Dunning-Lozano, B.A.; M.A. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2015 Dedication I dedicate this work to my parents, Rosa and Edward. Acknowledgements I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisers and dissertation committee co-chairs, Dr. Javier Auyero and Dr. Robert Crosnoe, for all of their support and guidance throughout the long process of conducting fieldwork and writing the dissertation. Dr. Auyero and Dr. Crosnoe have been invaluable mentors to me; they believed in my project and provided me with the methodological and theoretical tools to successfully undertake this research. I sincerely thank you both for everything. I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Simone Browne, Dr. Ben Carrington, and Dr. John Hartigan for their valuable feedback and generous giving of their time over the years to discuss various aspects of my project. I also want to recognize and thank the various funding sources that supported this research: Center for Mexican-American Studies Dissertation Fellowship, the C.B.
    [Show full text]