Abstract
The writer discusses whether or not the Criminal Justice System is gender blind, whether males or females are favored by any inherent gender bias, and what an appropriate level of gender bias is for the justice system. The paper cites particular cases and sources that illustrate both sides of the argument.

From the Paper
"The blindfold worn by the Lady Justice signifies the impartiality aspired to by the criminal justice system. Ideally, the courts should treat each person before it equally, in a manner blind to any distinguishing features. In reality, our criminal justice system takes into account many distinguishing features of defendants placed within its boundaries. A defendant's age determines whether they will be tried as an adult or juvenile, a determination that brings with it many differences in sentencing options. A defendant's socio-economic status can be seen as determining the quality of legal counsel available, and can also influence sentencing in cases where resources provide better treatment options. While many would like to argue that a person's race does not impact the criminal justice process, studies have confirmed otherwise, finding that the race of the offender and of the victim does play a role in sentencing (Kleck, 1981; Glaeser et al., 2000). Thus, when it is asked whether or not justice is 'gender-blind,' it is not surprising to find out that it is not. Research has consistently found a sex effect operating within the justice system (Daly, 1995). Theorists have offered different explanations for this sex effect, often citing the patriarchal paternalism prevalent in all aspects of modern Western societies (Bernat, 2001; Gilbert, 2001; Daly, 1999). Beyond determining what the sex effects are, and why they may exist, the important question is whether or not justice should be gender blind. The possibility exists that gender disparities in sentencing are simply reflective of actual gender differences within society and therefore, warranted. This paper will provide an overview of the support showing that justice is not gender-blind, the competing explanations for gender biases, and the debate over whether gender bias is warranted as a method of reflecting the actual differences between the genders."

Tags:action, affirmative, bias, discrimination, feminism

Abstract
This paper discusses the treatment of women and girls in the criminal justice system. The paper evaluates the recommendations of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Task Force on Women regarding female offenders, female crime victims, and female criminal justice professionals. The paper describes the nature of the changes that have been taking place regarding gender bias and inequality within the justice system.

From the Paper
"The criminal justice system provides training to police and law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and judges (Legal Defense and Education Fund 2004). The New York State Police Academy, for example, trains its criminal justice professionals through a week-long Sex Offense Seminar. They are taught how to investigate sex crimes; collect evidence from crime scenes; interview suspects, surviving victims and other witnesses; obtain expert testimony; gather and present forensic evidence; screen for drug-facilitated sexual assault and similar crimes; observe Departmental protocol for crime investigations; recognize trauma syndrome and the surviving victim's emotional needs and rights; and coordinate with crisis programs, health care personnel and related agencies (LDEF)."

Tags:victims, gender, bias

Abstract
The following issues along with the statistical facts and figures are discussed in this paper: Women Working In Law Enforcement, Women Working in the Courts, Women Employed in Adult Corrections, Women Working in Juvenile Corrections, Gender Bias: The Glass Ceiling and Organizational Culture, Organizational Culture Survey, Gender-Neutral Employment, Females as Correctional Officers, Proven affects of Female Employment in Criminal Justice.

From the Paper
"For more than 80 years, in the United States, women have been engaged in police work, where their concerns of considering the participation in law enforcement and career advancement had remained stable for almost sixty years. However, it was not until the 1960s, when legislation and judicial participation started in backing women's demands for equality, perform their duties and the responsibilities then began to expand (exhibit 4-2). It was since then, that the opportunities for women in policing improved. However, female police officers still continue to make slow progress in regard to their ranks."

Tags:adult, affects, bias, ceiling, correctional, corrections, courts, criminal, culture, culturein, employed, employment, enforcement, female, females, gender, glass, justice, juvenile, law, officers, organizational, profession, proven, survey, terms, women, working

Abstract
A slide presentation about current issues facing women in the criminal justice system emphasizing sexual assault, domestic violence and gender bias in court.

From the Paper
"American women confront many challenges when interacting with the criminal justice system, including; Difficulties in prosecuting sexual assault cases; Inadequacy in protection against domestic violence; Biases based on gender; Barriers to professional advancement at the bar and on the bench. According to Jane Roush, the American Bar Association (ABA) has long recognized that American women face numerous obstacles related to gender bias when interacting with the criminal justice system. Specifically, women..."

Tags:women, sexual assault, criminal justice

Abstract
This paper looks at racial prejudice in the administration of juvenile justice from the point of view of who gets locked up, what happens once they're in, and the built-in system cruelty. Incarceration statistics are included. A discussion of race as a factor in whether the juvenile offender receives mental health care and what actually goes on inside the juvenile justice system are topics addressed by this paper.

From the Paper
"Juvenile Justice System (JJS) increased by 41%; but more disturbing is the fact that in that time period, delinquency cases involving blacks jumped 78% and cases involving other non-white youths skyrocketed by 94% (Lardiero, 1997). Another key fact illustrating the institutional bias against minority kids is found in a 1987 study (by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges) of ethnicity in much-preferable private JJS facilities vs. generally miserable public JJS facilities: 35% of private inmates were minorities and 65% were white."

Tags:whites, african, american, youths, facilities, delinquency, latino, sentences, bias, civil, rights

Abstract
This paper examines how women working as professionals in the criminal justice field have gained some respect in recent years; however, the fact largely remains that criminal justice is a very male-dominated field, and women still struggle to acquire equal standing and respect accordingly. It looks at how the percentage of women working in the legal field as judges, lawyers, and similar professionals has increased significantly in recent years and how, despite these increases, women entering the criminal field still face a male-dominated culture and organizational structure, which have limited many opportunities for women to advance in this area.

From the Paper
"Discrimination and gender bias may be even more evident within the courts and judicial system. In recent years, forty states and nine federal circuits appointed task forces that investigated gender bias in their jurisdictions. They found that "female lawyers in court may be called honey, little lady, little girl or are referred to by their first names instead of a professional salutation." (DOJ, 2003, ABA). The American Bar also published a Report on the Status of Women in the Legal Profession, which indicated that when a female attorney is more aggressive during litigation or other proceedings, a judge is more likely to interpret her behavior as "unnecessary drama" as opposed to being an effective lawyer, as aggression is typically more often appreciated in male lawyers (DOJ, 2003, ABA)."

Tags:male, judges, lawyer, respect, discrimination, gender, bias

Abstract
The paper examines the text "Malign Neglect-Race, Crime, and Punishment in America" by Michael Tonry who argues with the perception that the United States is effectively or compassionately contending with its issues of violence and crime. The paper discusses how Tonry shows the racial divisions and associated distinctions between socio-economic classes that he contends are to blame for a racist criminal justice system. The paper asserts that this is an argument that resonates with the reader.

From the Paper
"The text at the center of this discussion is concerned with the harsh imbalances in America's criminal justice system. Professor Michael Tonry's interest is in providing students with an even-handed and straightforward presentation on the subject of criminal proceedings, with a focus on the proclivity of America's system to increasingly pursue a rigid and codified system of penalties which both fails to deter crime and which appears to overwhelmingly target minority and African American demographics."

Tags:prejudice, inequality, African-Americans, bias, class, divisions

Abstract
This paper discusses racial bias in the United States criminal justice system. It specifically questions whether the race of an individual suspected of a crime impacts his or her experience and the outcome in the criminal justice system. The paper discusses the history of related laws in the United States and discusses skin color ethics.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
In the U.S. Criminal Justice System...
Challenging Past and Contemporary Contentions
Research Purports
Confessions
Skin Color Ethics
Countering the Cycling Racial Bias Challenge

From the Paper
"Federal sentencing guidelines sternly constrain judges' discretion for determining whether an individual being charged will be sentenced to prison or receive probation. Guidelines are also currently in place to "guide" a judge in allocating the length of the sentence. Guidelines, albeit only contain minimal restrictions on the judges' and prosecutors' abilities to reduce sentences "for substantial assistance or acceptance of responsibility." Spohnhttp (2000:482)"
"Ultimately, Spohnhttp (2000:481 - 482) concludes that the reason for the unbalanced number of racial minorities currently incarcerated in the U.S. did not merely evolve from a racially neutral efforts to protect citizens and/or control crime. Earlier refutations of racial discrimination in the U.S. criminal justice system, according to Spohnhttp (2000:482) do not pass the test of time."

Tags:probation, suspect, sentencing

Abstract
This paper analyzes whether Black people are mistreated by the criminal justice system in Canada and if they face discrimination from both the police and the courts. It discusses the failure of the criminal justice system to provide appropriate services to people of minority groups. The paper specifically looks at the over-representation of black people in the criminal justice system. It then attempts to analyze some of the reasons how and why Black citizens are targeted by the criminal justice system.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background on Black Over-representation in the Criminal Justice System
Possible Reasons Behind The Black Over-representation Trend
Arguments Against Criminal Justice System Racial Bias
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It is difficult to know how to respond to racial prejudices in the criminal justice system, as the overrepresentation of black citizens is imbedded in socioeconomic factors which cannot be explained by discriminatory practices implicit in the criminal justice system. The most obvious solution to the problem is to have separate justice systems for people of Aboriginal descent, where most of the problems of racial discrimination in Canada lie. However, would not the existence of different courts of law for different ethnicities further encourage racial stratification in society? The solution is not an easy one, and much more research must be done on the topic before an answer is forthcoming. A number of factors must be explored before a solution is implemented, such as what the current statistics revolving around discrimination studies mean, the relationship between social and economic factors and the criminal justice system, and the impact of developing stratification between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens (La Prairie, 2004, p. 277). "

Tags:ethnicities, Aboriginal, race, socioeconomic

Abstract
A paper on a case study of a woman criminal posed as gender bias in the Criminal Justice System.