This study uses a synthesis of conflict and labeling theory to reexamine the often-observed link between race and arrest. Where past research has not adequately explored the specific nature of this relationship, I show how it is conditioned by social class and gang membership. Using longitudinal data on a representative sample of U.S. teens, various direct and indirect effects of these test items on arrest frequency are detected with Poisson and Negative Binomial regression. In support of main effects labeling hypotheses, I find that race-ethnic minority status, low SES, and gang membership increase the risk of arrest, controlling for demographic and legal items. Interaction effects are modeled with the probing of simple slopes for race groups for a clearer depiction of the nature and form of the various relationships.
Consistent with research on “out of place” effects for minority youth in high-SES contexts, and counter to expectations, interactions show that racial minority status increases arrests for high-SES youth relative to low-SES youth. Reminiscent of research on the “Latino Paradox”, the effect of race-ethnicity on arrest at low-income levels exerts a slight protective feature for Hispanics, opposite of the effect for blacks. Race by Gang interactions were robust for both groups, with slightly stronger effects for black youth, again underscoring the importance of running tests for minority groups separately. This approach to theory testing corresponds to a recently stated objective of the ongoing federal initiative on Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) with the juvenile justice system. Recommendations for future research include examining a broader range of delinquent offenses and exploring interactions between extralegal and legal variables.