Sentencing Recommendations by Probation Officers and Judges: An Examination of Adult Offenders Across Gender

Connecting the courtroom workgroup model with attributions and stereotyping based on the focal concerns perspective and gender sentencing literature, the present study investigates the extent to which probation officer recommendations influence judicial sentencing, and whether the gender of the offender further conditions this relationship. Results from logistic and ordinary least squares regression indicate that there is concordance between probation officer recommendations and sentencing by judges. Offender gender has both direct and indirect effects on judicial sentencing through its relationship with probation officer recommendations, and Black males tend to receive lengthier sentences than other race/gender counterparts. These findings provide evidence that probation officer recommendations are an important part of the sentencing process and offer additional insight on how extralegal factors such as gender and race impact criminal justice decision making.     

Incidental findings and future testing methodologies: potential application of the ACMG 2013 recommendations

Reactions to the first clinical recommendations for the return of incidental findings (IFs) from genomic sequencing published by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) were polarized and resolute. Exploring the three main points of controversy: mandatory testing, testing children for adult conditions, and selection of conditions to be reported on, illuminates concerns for and conservation of bioethical principles—specifically, autonomy and non-directiveness. With the historical context of genetic testing in mind, this article studies the potential application of the ACMG recommendations to embryonic testing in the form of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Theoretical extension of the current recommendations assists in the identification of bioethical dilemmas and possible societal impacts. The recommendations make a statement on the importance of diagnosis and intervention for specific genetic conditions, setting a precedent for disease classification and patient autonomy. In the extreme, the clinical application of such recommendations prenatally may result in discarded embryos, and less societal tolerance of specific conditions. Skilled professionals, such as genetic counselors, researchers, and lawmakers must work together to maintain patient autonomy, providing care in the best interest of each patient.