Citation

Pozzulo JD, Pettalia JL, Dempsey JL, Gooden A. Psychiatry Psychol. Law. 2015; 22(2): 224-234.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13218719.2014.937518

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the present study the potential interaction between defendant age and alibi corroboration on mock jurors' perceptions and assessments of guilt was examined. Mock jurors (N = 231) read a trial transcript varying the defendant's age (14-, 18-, or 22-years-old) and alibi evidence (no corroboration, person corroboration, or physical corroboration). The defendant was significantly less likely to be found guilty if he had physical evidence to support his alibi in comparison to not having support for his alibi. Similarly, the defendant and his alibi were perceived to be more credible, truthful, and believable when he had supporting person or physical evidence. An interaction between defendant age and alibi corroboration was not found; however, alibi corroboration did have a significant influence on mock jurors' decisions. These findings will be discussed in the context of application and future directions.

Keywords: Juvenile justice;

Language: en