NCJ Number
103397
Journal
Justice System Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1986) Pages: 16-39
Date Published
1986
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Jury verdicts may not always be based on legally relevant evidence. A variety of extralegal factors may intrude in jury decisionmaking. This article reviews the literature on individual juror characteristics, trial processes, and group dynamics that may bias jury verdicts.
Abstract
It is concluded that while some extralegal effects are evident, on the whole American juries perform remarkably well. Two already established procedures, the voir dire and judicial instructions, are discussed as means to mitigate the influence of extralegal factors on jury verdicts. (Publisher abstract)