Gender Effects and Criminal Sentencing: Do Female Offenders Get Preferential Treatment in the Genesee County Courts?

This study seeks to add additional knowledge to the study of gender effects inthe sentencing of criminal defendants. Four hundred and fifty-four case files of offenders sentenced by the Genesee County criminal court system between 1995 and 2000 were examined to determine the existence of sentencing patterns with regard to gender. Most previous studies in this area have considered an offenders criminal history as a factor in determining the severity of sentences handed down. This study differs, however, because none of the offenders involved, male or female, had any determinable criminal record at the time they were sentenced. Patterns are examined in each of eleven offenses, as well as between misdemeanor and felony crimes, property and assaultive crimes, and between the suburban (67th) and urban (68th) district courts. The decisions of the female jurists in each court are highlighted as well. Because of the relatively small sample size in some categories, this study uses simple percentages for comparisons rather than more complex statistical computations.Master'sCollege of Arts and Sciences: Public AdministrationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117958/1/WilsonT.pd