Jury Selection in Child Sex Abuse Trials: A Case Analysis |
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Authors: | Robert J Cramer Desiree D Adams Stanley L Brodsky |
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Institution: | 1. University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA Crame001@bama.ua.edu.;3. University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA |
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Abstract: | Child sex abuse cases have been the target of considerable psycho-legal research. The present paper offers an analysis of psychological constructs for jury selection in child sex abuse cases from the defense perspective. The authors specifically delineate general and case-specific jury selection variables. General variables include authoritarianism, dogmatism, need for cognition, pretrial knowledge, and race/socioeconomic status. Case-specific variables include sexual attitudes, homonegativity, juror abuse history, and beliefs about children. The paper also provides a factual background of a representative case, incorporates relevant case law, identifies sources for voir dire and juror questionnaire items, and discusses lessons from the primary author's first experience as a trial consultant for the defense. |
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Keywords: | jury selection child sexual abuse authoritarianism need for cognition trial consultation |
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