The analysis focused on Hispanic and non-Hispanic defendants and used systematic random samples. The legal resource and sentence severity variables were analyzed sequentially, approximating the relevant states of criminal justice decisionmaking. Results revealed that ethnicity and employment exerted indirect influences on sentence severity through the private attorney and bail variables. Ethnicity also directly affected sentence severity in El Paso County. Findings revealed that ethnic minorities and unemployed persons were disadvantaged in the sentencing process. Tables, footnotes, appended table, and 38 references (Author abstract modified)