Heidensohn's argument about bias against women in the court system suggests what about female offenders?

Heidensohn's argument posits that the court system exhibits a bias against women, particularly in terms of how female offenders are perceived and treated in relation to societal gender norms. According to her perspective, women who engage in criminal behavior often challenge established expectations of femininity and proper conduct. Consequently, when they do commit offenses, they may face harsher scrutiny and punishment, not solely for the crime itself but also for their deviation from traditional gender roles. This reflects a societal tendency to penalize women more stringently when they defy the expected norms of behavior, as their actions are seen as a larger threat to the accepted social order.

The other options do not align with Heidensohn's framework. For instance, women are not treated more leniently for similar crimes as males; rather, their punishment can reflect a greater backlash against their non-conformance to gender norms. The notion that all female offenders receive custodial sentences is misleading since sentencing varies widely based on numerous factors. Additionally, the idea that women face no bias in court rulings contradicts Heidensohn's core argument advocating that such biases are present and significantly impact the judicial outcomes for female offenders.