Jeff Johnson is the newest judge to take the bench in the fifth district of Virginia. He spent 25 years as a prosecutor before being elected to the court. He is known for his lenient views on drugs and his extreme conservative views on crimes of violence. Rebecca is a 37-year-old black woman standing in front of Judge Johnson in absolute disbelief that she has not received a life sentence for killing her husband while he slept. She was in an abusive marriage. Instead, she received a five-year sentence. How can extralegal factors best explain Judge Johnson's decision?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Judge Johnson's decision can be best explained by the fact that women are often treated more leniently in the criminal justice system, a phenomenon known as the "gender gap" in sentencing. This can particularly apply in cases involving domestic situations or self-defense claims.

Jeff Johnson Is the Newest Judge to Take the Bench