The Female Homicide Offender in Dade County, Florida

Abstract

A total of 47female offenders were identifiedfrom afollow-up of all homicides (N= 569) occurring in Dade County (Miami), Florida in 1980. The homicide offender rate forfemales had increased by 48.7% over a six-year period but was far below the 189.6% increase for male offenders. Both thefemale and male rates in 1980 were significantly higher than those for Florida and the United States as a whole. Female offenders were more likely than males to be involved in homicides that were domestic, within the family, with opposite sex victims (inter-sexual), and victim precipitated. Of the 27 females arrested, 17 were eventually found guilty with sentences ranging from probation to life in prison. Differences in outcomeforfemale and male offenders werefound atfour decisionpointsfrom arrest to sentencing but no evidence of disparity (unjustified difference) was found.