Gender bias throughout the justice system often manifests itself when the process concerns the sentences and consequences of crimes in which individuals participate. Gender bias arises when it comes to whether or not a woman is charged less than men. Women generally receive lighter sentences than men, even if they committed the same crime. On March 22, 2006, for example, Mary Winkler murdered her husband at their home in Selmer, Tennessee. A year later, she was sentenced to just seven months in prison. The gender bias that persists in the justice system; As this case reveals, this is something that many people overlook because they are so concerned with the racial bias aspect. In the justice system, women are constantly discriminated against and treated differently, gender bias arises when it comes to sentencing, family law issues, juvenile arrests and the treatment of female lawyers. When deciding the person's sentences and consequences, the judge tends to be harsher on male defendants in criminal cases. “I have found that blacks, men, and offenders with lower education and income levels receive much longer sentences” (Mustard 5). Gender bias is considered stereotypical attitudes about the roles of men and women and misconceptions about the social and economic realities that both sexes face. Respect is enhanced for the court and the law and increases civility when the courtroom is free of gender bias. A judge is not supposed to make decisions based on gender. In order to examine the gender bias that existed in the justice system, a task force was created. The first gender bias task force was formed by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The New Jersey Supreme Court is the highest court in the State of New Jersey...... middle of paper ...... therefore less responsible for their crimes. Eliminating gender bias in the justice system is something that needs to be addressed quickly. With gender bias being a problem in the justice system, equality and fairness are being questioned. People are not treated equally because of the attitude of judges towards defendants and lawyers. Judges should not be able to accept these approaches towards women in the justice system. It is important to eliminate this problem because every individual is entitled to equal rights. Punishment should not be determined by race, gender or sexuality, but by the crime committed. Researchers are still working to eliminate all these issues of gender bias in the justice system that still arise today. The problems will soon end and people will all be treated equally..