NCJ Number
31709
Date Published
1976
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THIS IS THE FINAL REPORT ON A PROJECT TO DESCRIBE AND ANALYZE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE DEFENDANTS AND OFFENSES BY FEMALES.
Abstract
THE PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN IN REPONSE TO THE PAUCITY OF INFORMATION ON THE FEMALE OFFENDER. THE STUDY DESIGN COMPARED DATA, PROVIDED BY THE PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (PROMIS), ON OFFENDERS AND OFFENSES AS DIFFERENTIATED BY SEX. PROMIS INCLUDES INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM FORMS COMPLETED BY THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR FOR ADULT CRIMINAL INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN WASHINGTON, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FEDERAL CRIMES AND SUCH OFFENSES AS TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, DRUNKENNESS, AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. OF THE RECORDED ARRESTS, 16.4 PERCENT WERE FEMALES. THE STUDY EXAMINED SUCH DATA AS THE OFFENDERS' AGE, RACE, AND PRIOR ARREST RECORD, TYPE OF OFFENSE, AND CASE DISPOSITION. IT CONCLUDED THAT FEMALE CRIME IS MUCH LESS FREQUENT AND SERIOUS THAN MALE CRIME, ALTHOUGH THE TREND MAY BE TOWARD AN INCREASE IN THE FUTURE VOLUME AND GRAVITY OF FEMALE OFFENSES.