| Abstract: | Studies of criminal justice processing of adults commonly report that females are accorded more lenient treatment than are males. These results have given rise to theories that chivalry and male paternalism cause gender discrimination. This study examines the relationship between gender and charge reduction in the criminal justice process. Analyses focus on (1) the extent to which gender affects charge reduction independent of other social and legal variables, and (2) whether gender operates indirectly through variables that are correlated with it. The data are drawn from one judicial district in Florida using information from presentence reports. Using a variety of measures, we find no evidence that there is differential treatment by gender in charge reduction considerations. |
