Disparities in sentencing remain one of the most severe challenges that criminal justice systems worldwide continue to face. Legal systems struggle to stay above any discrimination during sentencing to appear more trustable and reliable when seeking legal redress. The proposed study will delve into one of the teething problems concerning sentencing disparities, that is, gender. Numerous reports globally indicate that gender disparities exist when sentencing, making the discourse valuable in seeking to correct potential injustices and make justice equitable for all. Thus, the research question will be; how does gender affect sentencing disparities for homicides?
There are numerous hypotheses for the proposed study, as outlined below. Female (independent variable) convicts are more likely to receive probation (dependent) than their male counterparts for similar crimes. Male offenders (independent) are more likely to experience incarceration (dependent) for similar offenses compared to female felons (Hanrath & Font, 2020). Moreover, another hypothesis would be; female (independent) criminals receive shorter jail terms (dependent) than their male colleagues for similar felonies. According to Kim et al., probation, fines, incarceration, and sentencing durations are critical indicators when examining the disparities between male and female criminals in sentencing (2019).
For many people, the criminal justice system is the only recourse when seeking justice for various violations. The justice system keeps the world from anarchy and people taking the law into their own hands (Fridel, 2019). Hence, the masses must consider the system fair and equitable for all, regardless of gender, race, education, religion, social class, etc. In theory, the justice system offers equal justice for all, but practically, studies reveal severe disparities in some sentencing. Studying some of these disparities in sentencing, such as gender, gives a theoretical framework for the justice system to develop more trustable and reliable strategies (Philippe, 2020). The people need to appreciate and recognize equity in the justice systems so that they continue to litigate when the need arises rather than taking matters into their own hands, creating a lawless society.
References
Fridel, E. E. (2019). Leniency for lethal ladies: Using the actor–partner interdependence model to examine gender-based sentencing disparities. Homicide Studies, 23(4), 319–343. Web.
Hanrath, L., & Font, S. (2020). Gender disparity in Pennsylvania child abuse and neglect sentencing outcomes. Crime & Delinquency, 66(12), 1703–1728. Web.
Kim, B., Wang, X., & Cheon, H. (2019). Examining the impact of ecological contexts on gender disparity in federal sentencing. JQ: Justice Quarterly, 36(3), 466–502. Web.
Philippe, A. (2020). Gender disparities in sentencing. Economica, 87(348), 1037–1077. Web.