Final answer:
Institutionalized discrimination has led to disproportionate sentencing in southern states, highlighted by cases such as Scottsboro. Systemic biases against marginalized groups often resulted in unjust trial outcomes, prompting ongoing reforms in the criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Institutionalized discrimination has historically affected trial outcomes in southern states by leading to disproportionate sentencing. The trials and convictions, such as the infamous Scottsboro case, spotlighted a justice system characterized by poor legal counsel for the accused and racially homogenous juries that often excluded Black jurors, violating the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. Studies have shown that offenders who are Black, male, less educated, and of lower income tend to receive longer sentences due to systemic biases. Efforts are ongoing to reduce these disparities in the criminal justice system, including racial profiling and differential treatment based on race and socioeconomic status, which undermine the principle of equality under the law.