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Florida Supreme Court's Gender Bias Study Commission reports and correspondence, 1987-1990.
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.75 cubic ft.
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Unarranged.
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In 1987, the Supreme Court of Florida created a 27-member Gender Bias Study Commission of judges, lawyers, and educators in response to a Florida State University study concluding that gender bias was pervasive in the state's courts. Attorney Virginia Daire was the commission's executive director. In 1990, the commission released its findings in a report on gender bias in the Florida legal system and advocated sweeping changes in the handling of divorce settlements, domestic violence cases, and prison overcrowding.
After researching and conducting nine public hearings, the commission released a four-page summary identifying the worst forms of gender bias and reflecting a consensus on potential actions. It found that women criminal defense attorneys did not receive the same treatment that their male counterparts received from some judges. The report recommended that the Legislature adopt the concept of community property in divorce settlements with all marital assets considered jointly owned. In domestic violence cases, the report advocated ''a mandatory arrest'' policy in situations where there is probable cause. Prosecutors, not the victims, should decide whether to press charges, the commission advised. The report, stating that ''society still views rape as something caused by the behavior of the woman involved,'' recommended 24 changes in the state's rape policy, including a halt to routine use of lie detector tests of victims and mandatory educational programs for judges, state attorneys, and law enforcement personnel ''to dispel myths and stereotypes about rape.'' It also found that women ''generally commit less serious crimes but are treated more harshly'' than male offenders.
The report made a significant impact in the Florida legal and judicial system. Just after the report's release, the Florida Supreme Court announced the formation of a group of lawyers, judges, lawmakers, and police officers to educate their colleagues in making justice equal for all. In October 1992, the court ruled in a move designed to remove gender references from the justice system. The Florida Rules of Judicial Procedure, which govern how the courts operate, previously used the pronouns "he," "his," and "him.'' The Florida Supreme Court agreed to drop the pronouns based on a recommendation from the Florida Bar. In 1993, the House and Senate took a similar action and passed a bill to banish gender bias from Florida statutes.
Summary:
This collection consists primarily of reports compiled by the Florida Supreme Court's Gender Bias Study Commission. The reports discuss gender bias in Florida courts, the legal profession, and law enforcement through an examination of issues such as prostitution, sexual harassment, and discrimination. This collection provides valuable statistical information for researchers, students, and educators concerning gender issues in the judicial, legal, and criminal sphere.
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Folder listing available. 0
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Subject Access Fields:
Florida. Supreme Court. Florida Bar.
Women Employment Florida Women judges Florida Women lawyers Florida Women's rights Florida Sex discrimination against women Florida Sexual harassment of women Florida
Reports. aat Videocassettes. aat Video recordings. aat Letters. aat
for detailed listing.