The Extra-Legal Factors in Jury Decisions

Cassiday Cats

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: MA.FORENSIC-PSY

Faculty Research Mentor: Doyle, Christine  

Abstract:

Jury decisions are extremely important when it comes to deciding an outcome of a criminal justice case. Jurors are relying on the facts and evidence of a case without having any outside information affect their decision. While they undergo a series of questions, also known as void dire, to become a juror, it is still possible to allow personal biases to sway their decision. The purpose of this study is to determine if gender and socioeconomic status of an individual affects whether a juror decides if they are guilty or not guilty. Participants could suggest a change in sentence length if determined guilty. Data will be analyzed to determine if gender and socioeconomic sways the length of sentence. Participants in the study will be separated into 4 groups, each one with a different “suspect” that was either high class female/male or low class female/male. Despite the different suspects, they all had the same crime. A convenience sample from friends, family and individuals on social media platforms were chosen to take part in this study. The study was conducted online through Qualtrics. The potential goal of this study is to determine if personal biases affect a juror decision.