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The only exceptions to these privileges are:—
- (a) If the offence has been committed by one woman against another.
- (b) If the offence is by a baby farmer, committed against other women's babies.
The reasons for these exceptions are, of course, obvious, and need not be dwelt upon here.
1. Trial and Sentence.
The rules are substantially the same as those affecting wives in particular, already enumerated.
- (a) The least excuse is sufficient to exonerate any woman from penal consequences.
- (b) All the women's statements against a man are assumed to be true until they are proved to be false.
- (c) The proof of the actual deed of crime must be much more conclusive than in the case of a man.
- (d) The jury almost invariably recommends to mercy on the rare occasions when they convict.
- (e) A shamefully inadequate or even a nominal sentence is imposed.
2. List of Crimes.
The list of the wife's exemptions from punishment for crimes against her husband may nearly all be repeated as enjoyed, though possibly in a somewhat less degree, by all women (other men's wives or not) against a man, or against the community at large. (1) In cases of drunkenness this offence against the safety of the community is visited on the woman with a trifling fine. The matter is looked on rather as a joke than an offence. (2) In cases of libel and slander, a criminal prosecution against a woman is practically unknown. A nominal penalty, such as a promise not to repeat the offence, is the usual ending to such a prosecution. (3) Crimes of
