McNair Scholar 2019 Nayelli Guerrero
Nayelli Guerrero is a senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in American Studies. Her research interests revolve around law and public policy. Ms. Guerrero plans on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in government.
My dream is to increase transparency and accountability through informed policy analysis in government.
Research project
Multistate Study of Monetary Sanctions
Abstract: The use of court-ordered monetary sanctions in the criminal justice system has grown in recent years (Harris 2016). At the same time, racial disproportionality and inequalities of wealth and income suggest that communities of color are likely to bear a disproportionate burden as criminal justice debtors. This multi-method project examines the racial impact of monetary sanctions in Minnesota, examining automated court records as well as qualitative interviews with defendants and decision makers. We present statewide and county-level data showing differences across racial groups in legal financial obligations (LFOs), including fines, fees, and restitution. For many forms of criminal justice debt, Native American defendants experience significantly higher monetary sanction amounts, relative to White, Asian, African American and Hispanic groups. Our interviews and courtroom observations help explain how local court processes can mitigate or amplify these racial disparities.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Chris Uggen is currently a Regents Professor and a Professor of Sociology and Law and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Uggen attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his Ph. D. in in Sociology in 1995. His research specializes in the study of felon disenfranchisement, workplace sexual harassment, life-course research, and prisoner re-entry into society. Dr. Uggen is published in multiple research journals and has presented his work at conferences nationwide. Dr. Uggen has been a McNair faculty mentor for the past 22 years.