Chapter 9 notes pt. 3

Question 1

purported improper judicial discretion is often the first reason given for what two phenomena that plague the criminal justice system?

Answer 1

1. sentencing disparity

2. sentencing discrimination

Question 2

a situation in which those covicted of similair crimes do not receive similiar sentences

Answer 2

sentencing disparrity

Question 3

sentencing disparity occurs when this expectation isn’t met in what three ways?

Answer 3

1. criminals receive similiar sentences for different crimes of unequal seriousness
2. criminals receive differnet sentences for similiar crimes
3. mitigating or aggravating circumstances have a disproportionate effect on ssentences

Question 4

the amoutn of time spent in prison can also depend on ______ the crime was committed

Answer 4

where

Question 5

a situation in which the length of a sentence appears to be influenced by a defednant’s race, gender, economic status, or other factor not directly realted to the crime he or she committed

Answer 5

sentencing discrimination

Question 6

the rate of imprisonment rose significantly for minorities who were ______ and __________

Answer 6

young

unemployed

Question 7

why do judges resort to stereotypes?

Answer 7

at times they are faced with limited time to make decisions and limited information about the offenders

Question 8

of those women convicted of crimes, they are less likely to go to prison than _____, and those who are incarcerated tend to serve _______ sentences

Answer 8

men

shorter

Question 9

what is the chivalry effect?

Answer 9

the idea that women should be treated more leniently than men, plays a large role in sentencing decisions

Question 10

Sentencing ________ occurs when similiar crimes are punsihed with dissimliar sentences, while sentencing _________ is the result of judicial consideration of extralegal variables such as the defendant’s race or gender.

Answer 10

disparity

discrimination

Question 11

Explain some of the reasons why sentencing reform has occurred.

Answer 11

One reason is sentencing disparity, which is indicative of a situation in whcih those convicted of similiar crimes receive dissimilar sentences (often due to a particular judge’s sentencing philosophy). Sentencing discrimination has also occurred on the basis of defendant’s gender, race, or economic standing.