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This study analyzes the relationship between race/ethnicity and sentencing outcomes for female drug offenders in Florida. Grounded in the focal concerns perspective, the research examines whether, in the specific case of drug offenders, minority women are treated more harshly than White women. Interaction models are estimated to determine the influence of drug offense type on racial and ethnic sentencing disparities. Differences in sentencing outcomes are also examined following significant policy changes in the state. In general, the findings suggest that minority female drug offenders are disadvantaged at both the incarceration and sentence length decisions. It also appears that perceptions of dangerousness associated with female offenders' race/ethnicity and offense are incorporated into sentencing authorities' patterned responses. That is, the level of disparity between Black, Hispanic, and White females is conditioned by type of drug offense in the interaction models. The changes in sentencing policy also impact the role of race and ethnicity in sentencing decisions. By analyzing drug offenders exclusively, the current study clarifies the role of race in sentencing decisions for females. In contrast to prior research that examined all offense categories together, the current study suggests that for drug offenses, minority females may, in fact, be deemed more dangerous and culpable than White female drug offenders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the relationship between law enforcement agency domestic violence standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Florida's model policy for domestic violence, as well as type of police agency and policing management model. Design/methodology/approach - Data for this study include the SOPs and self-reported policing model for Florida law enforcement agencies (n=72), which were collected through an e-mail request to all Florida agencies. The policing model was dichotomized into "traditional policing" and "community oriented policing" styles. Content analysis was used to analyze each agency's SOPs. Findings - Findings suggest there are no differences in SOP content across "traditional" versus "community oriented policing" policing models. Agencies self-reporting as community oriented policing agencies were not necessarily any more likely to include preventative or long-term goals within their domestic violence SOPs than agencies self-reporting as "traditional" policing agencies. There were also no differences in SOP content across type of police agency. Research limitations/implications - This research suggests that although SOPs are used to formalize policy for officer decision making, they may not be representative of the policing management model of an agency. Practical implications - Agencies that identify as community policing agencies should examine whether written policies demonstrate an adherence to the core tenets of community policing. Originality/value - There is no research that examines the link between written domestic violence policies and agency policing models. This paper adds to the extant literature and suggests topics for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study measures the seriousness of domestic violence cases from the population of cases (N = 96) sentenced to a pre-trial domestic violence intensive supervision unit in one county probation office in Florida from April 1, 2006, to April 30, 2007. No significant differences were found in seriousness across sex, self-reported drug use, or attorney type. Furthermore, no relationship was found between the number of special conditions imposed by the court and the seriousness index value for a case. However, non-Whites had a significantly higher mean case seriousness index than Whites. Findings suggest that using the seriousness index presented in this study, some of the cases examined were not serious enough to warrant being sentenced to the pre-trial domestic violence intensive supervision unit. Implications for future research, including the use of lethality assessments, are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes data collected on juveniles arrested in Escambia County and Santa Rosa County, Florida, from January 01, 2002 through June 30, 2002. The purpose of this research is to develop a profile of arrestees to better inform public policy in the region and in the State of Florida. Establishing a profile and comparison of juvenile arrestees is an especially timely project in Florida since the state recently cut funding for some juvenile justice initiatives, and is proposing additional cuts in FY2004. Juvenile arrestees (n=301) processed for intake at the Escambia County Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) were selected from a random sample of 30 days. Data were drawn from Florida's Juvenile Justice Information System. Findings include a comprehensive profile of offenses, dispositions, and commitments of the juvenile arrestees, including comparisons across demographics, offense, and criminal history. Using profile comparisons, the authors discuss the impact of funding on Florida's juvenile justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which described a profile of criminals incarcenerated as 10-20-Life offenders in Florida. Analysis of sentence enhancement; History of sentencing legislation in Florida; Methodology; Results and discussion; Conclusions.