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Witnessing for Sociology: Sociologists in Court

NCJ Number
173857
Editor(s)
P J Jenkins, S Kroll-Smith
Date Published
1996
Length
280 pages
Annotation
The use of sociologists as expert witnesses in the courtroom and the relevance of social science to many issues associated with litigation and appellate review are examined.
Abstract
Personal and professional experiences of sociologists who have been called to serve as expert witnesses in the courtroom indicate social science is especially pertinent to cases involving sexual harassment, domestic violence, and racial discrimination. The use of sociologists as expert witnesses is discussed in terms of quantitative sociology and statistical experts, humanizing the defendant in capital murder and suicide cases, and battered women as agents and victims. In addition, the role of sociologists in the courtroom is considered in relation to religious freedom, the sociocultural context of drug dependency, moral accountability, obscenity and child pornography, environmental crimes, and homeless persons. References and notes

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