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. Judge Johnson is about to sentence a drug offender who has been convicted for the third time.
-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 5-year sentence. How can you best explain Judge Johnson's decision

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Judge Johnson's lenient views on crimes of violence, combined with his potential views on gender, could have influenced his decision to sentence Rebecca to only 5 years for killing her abusive husband. Women, especially those who are victims of domestic violence, are more likely to receive leniency in sentencing.

Jeff Johnson Is the Newest Judge to Take the Bench