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An experimental exploration of reasonable doubt

Author

Listed:
  • Aimone, Jason A.
  • Hudja, Stanton
  • Law, Wilson
  • North, Charles M.
  • Ralston, Jason
  • Rentschler, Lucas

Abstract

The “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard is a constitutional requirement in U.S. criminal cases, but jury instructions on “reasonable doubt” vary across jurisdictions. We use a controlled experiment to analyze the relationship between the definition of reasonable doubt and juror decisions. In our novel (pre-registered) experiment, we vary the definition of reasonable doubt between subjects and elicit the level of evidence required for subjects to convict a defendant. We analyze juror decisions under two state definitions that are markedly different (Wisconsin and West Virginia) and analyze juror decisions when reasonable doubt is not explicitly defined. We find similar behavior in each treatment. We ran three additional treatments to determine why behavior does not seem to vary across definitions. Our data is consistent with subjects having pre-conceived notions of reasonable doubt that are not affected by jury instructions.

Suggested Citation

  • Aimone, Jason A. & Hudja, Stanton & Law, Wilson & North, Charles M. & Ralston, Jason & Rentschler, Lucas, 2023. "An experimental exploration of reasonable doubt," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 873-886.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:212:y:2023:i:c:p:873-886
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.05.028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Reasonable doubt; Criminal justice; Experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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