Publication Date

8-2024

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

4-24-2024

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Criminal Justice

Department Filter

Criminal Justice

Department

Criminal Justice

Supervisory Committee Chair

Jacqueline Lee, J.D., Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Lucas Alward, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Lane Gillespie, Ph.D.

Abstract

Past research has consistently found that women are treated more leniently compared to men in the criminal justice system. Little research has examined gender and its relation to fine amounts imposed in the federal court system, and almost no research has examined if dependents plays a role in determining fines. This thesis operates under focal concerns theory, and addresses a gap by examining if gender and presence of dependents impacts the likelihood and amount of a fine imposed. Using the Monitoring of Federal Criminal Sentences from 2020-2021 data, this thesis examined if men are more likely to get fines imposed than women, if they get higher fine amounts, if the presence of dependents impacts likelihood of receiving a fine, if women with dependents get lower fine amounts relative to women without dependents and if males with dependents get lower fine amounts than men without dependents. Results found that men were more likely to get a fine imposed and received higher fine amounts than women. No significant relationships were found regarding the presence and number of dependents and fine amounts imposed.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2265.boisestate

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