Articles tagged with Jurisprudence
A new study reveals that Supreme Court justices employ 'appeasement' strategies, including conciliatory language, to persuade their peers and preserve influence within the court. This measured approach helps justices work together despite deep ideological divisions, offering insights into the court's functioning.
Research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that serving on a jury improves attitudes toward courts and judges. However, with jury trials becoming increasingly rare, opportunities for Americans to participate are shrinking. The authors suggest expanding civic education as an alternative path to rebuilding public trust.
Two studies by Rutgers University professor Colleen Berryessa explore how expressions of remorse are interpreted in the legal system, finding that it can lead to serious inequities in legal outcomes. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and education within the legal system to better understand how remorse is assessed.
New research from West Virginia University finds that judges are adopting generative artificial intelligence in courtrooms, but remain committed to human control over judicial decision-making. Judges use AI for administrative tasks like document summarization and case organization, but prioritize legal reasoning and final judgment.
A new study from the University of Surrey suggests that powerful companies risk legal responsibility for labor abuse, child labor, and environmental pollution linked to their global operations. Courts in the UK and abroad are treating corporate human rights responsibility as a legal duty rather than a voluntary promise.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that virtual jurors are just as attentive and engaged as those in a traditional courtroom setting. The research, which compared online and in-person mock juries, revealed few significant differences between the two formats.
Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law is a new research initiative that empowers Indigenous communities to renew and rebuild their own legal systems. The project, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to rebuild entire Indigenous legal orders and revitalize traditional legal traditions.
A new survey by University of California, Irvine professor Nicholas Scurich found that 65% of Missouri voters believe Governor Mike Kehoe should commute Shockley's death sentence to life imprisonment. The survey revealed strong bipartisan support for clemency across all political affiliations.
The Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey finds that Americans' knowledge of civics has increased, with over two-thirds able to name all three branches of government. However, trust in the Supreme Court continues to deteriorate, with nearly 60% holding little or no trust.
A recent study found that Japan's growth-oriented carbon pricing initiatives face litigations against renewable energy projects, highlighting the need for early stakeholder involvement and cooperation with local communities. The study also reveals a disparity in scale between Japanese and American climate investments.
A majority of Americans support the role of courts and Congress as checks on presidential power, with high trust in institutions and a desire for judicial independence. Trust in the U.S. Supreme Court has declined since the 2022 Dobbs decision, but remains higher than other branches of government.
A groundbreaking legal framework in Ecuador has successfully blocked mining projects and won landmark court cases, protecting endangered frogs and the Junin community. The Rights of Nature approach aims to preserve entire ecosystems holistically, promoting care, stewardship, and coexistence with all life forms.
A UOC study analyzes the need for improvements in the appointment process of Spanish Constitutional Court judges, highlighting the potential benefits of European law on judicial independence. The research also examines the existing shortcomings in Spain and France, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rule of law.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
Experts propose incorporating joint criminal enterprise into the ICC Statute to hold high-ranking military officers and politicians accountable for collective criminal responsibility. The proposed change aims to ensure victims receive restorative justice and deter future mass atrocities.
A majority of the American public favors providing incarcerated pregnant women with access to abortion, particularly in cases of rape or health risk. Most also support parental aid for these women, with conservative Republicans being least supportive of both
A new study by Dr. Ben Hudson from the University of Exeter Law School criticizes the European Court of Human Rights for reversing its principles on protecting asylum seekers. The research finds that the court has become uncertain about what makes an applicant 'sufficiently vulnerable' to receive special protection.
Researchers found that people with untrustworthy facial features were more likely to be sentenced to death. A new training intervention was developed to eliminate this bias, which successfully reduced both conscious and unconscious judgments.
A study investigated how algorithms compare to human judgment in music plagiarism disputes, with mixed results. While algorithms matched human decisions in 83% of cases, they struggled with non-musical factors and controversy surrounding high-profile cases.
Researchers used NLP tools to analyze court transcripts and found significant differences in questioning tactics for Black and white jurors, indicating attempts to shape responses. The study proves that AI can identify biased jury selection, paving the way for real-time monitoring and diversifying juries.
Victims of sexual assault are often blamed for not fighting back, but neuroscientific research suggests this may be due to involuntary immobility. Thirty per cent of women experience sexual assault or rape in their lifetime, and 70% report being 'frozen' during the ordeal.
Researchers propose using brain scans to measure similarity in trademark cases, reducing inconsistencies and bias. This approach provides a reliable method for determining similarity without relying on subjective surveys or expert opinions.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that people's perceptions of crime prevalence can significantly impact their legal judgments, with women and men holding different views on the frequency of certain crimes. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing these biases to ensure more informed verdicts.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that countries with strong rule of law have less economic volatility and higher productivity. Weak rule of law leads to poor contract enforcement, causing employee morale to suffer, ultimately sparking churn and economic instability.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that lawyers who view negotiation as a game, with arbitrary rules, are less willing to disclose honest information. Lawyers with higher moral character are more likely to adopt an ethical approach, while those with lower moral character are more prone to game framing.
A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.
A Swansea law expert has been awarded €1.5 million to study the impact of deepfakes on public perceptions of user-generated evidence in human rights trials. The project, TRUE, will track changes in trust over time and develop a systematic account of its role in accountability processes.
A team of psychological scientists and criminologists recommend testing eyewitness memory only once to prevent contaminated memories from convicting innocent people. The first identification is the most reliable test, which can avoid further contamination and ensure justice.
A study examining Pennsylvania death penalty cases found that victim's gender and race affected every outcome. Cases with white female, male or black male victims were more likely to receive a death sentence than those with black female victims. The study also found that prosecutors were more likely to seek the death penalty in cases w...
A new study by University of South Australia researchers found that virtual reality leads to better recall, spatial accuracy, and more consistent verdicts. Participants viewing a 3D scene were 9.5 times more likely to choose the same verdict than those relying on photographs.
The eleventh edition of the Art of Neuroscience competition has been won by Yas Crawford for her artwork 'Cognition IX', which explores neurological interoception in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients. The winner was chosen from over 293 entries and received praise for its perfectly composed image, full of movement and dynamic flow.
A recent study published in the Journal of Law and Society suggests that children are more prone to pleading guilty even when innocent due to their brain development and information processing abilities. The researchers argue that this can lead to inaccurate convictions and recommend tailored protection for young defendants.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that response speed is an important cue on which people base their sincerity inferences. Participants rated delayed responses as less sincere than immediate ones, regardless of the question's seriousness.
A study of potential jurors found they are more favorable towards physicians who accept standard AI medical recommendations. The study suggests the threat of legal liability may be smaller than commonly thought, influencing physician behavior and AI adoption.
A new study reveals that the occipital cortex is essential for guiding involuntary attention to prioritize visual information. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to disrupt cortical excitability in this region, finding that it eliminates behavioral benefits and costs at attended and unattended locations.
A study suggests that patient notes and letters from GP records could provide valuable insights into managing major health crises like COVID-19. Researchers found that while there are concerns over patient privacy, the majority of citizens' jury members were supportive of making such information available to researchers.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has established a €1 million prize to tackle the climate crisis, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting vulnerable populations. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Lisbon on July 20th, with a jury of international experts selecting the winner.
A new study found that only 40% of psychological assessment tools used in courts are favorably rated by experts. Lawyers rarely challenge these conclusions, and when they do, only one-third succeed. The study examined over 360 tools and 372 legal cases across the US.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that the presence of a weapon and outdoor location significantly influenced jury verdicts in child stranger rape cases. Verdicts were predicted by two offense-related factors, increasing the odds of conviction by 412% and 360%, respectively.
Terry Chapin, a University of Alaska Fairbanks professor emeritus, has been awarded the 2019 Volvo Environment Prize for his groundbreaking work on Earth stewardship. His research focuses on the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human impact on the environment.
New research suggests that incentives to plead guilty can lead innocent defendants in England and Wales to admit to crimes they did not commit. The study found that 76.9% of defendants pleaded guilty between 2016 and 2017, citing the high time and cost involved in trial as a major factor.
A new study found that individuals are swayed by their peers to punish more often, with victims being more easily influenced than impartial jurors. Group decisions can increase punishment recommendations by 40%, highlighting the potential for conformity in moral dilemmas.
Researchers found that only reciprocity boosts a candidate's chances of being the victor, while direct ties and cliquishness decrease their chances, according to new research published in the Academy of Management Journal.
Researchers found that walkers who use straight arms conserve energy and reduce their cost by 11% compared to bending their elbows. However, the study did not find any significant difference in energy costs between arm postures for runners. The exact reason behind runner's bent arm posture remains a mystery.
The Bertarelli Foundation has awarded two grants to researchers at EPFL, focusing on developing smart upper limb prostheses that can provide sensory feedback to patients. Additionally, a non-invasive brain stimulation system is being developed to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or brain injury.
A study by Emory University scientists found that human screams can be correctly identified as belonging to the same person. The research suggests that non-human primates, like monkeys, also use screams for recruitment and help. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of screams.
A new federal rule of evidence is proposed to educate juries on theories of false memory, producing more just verdicts. This rule would be particularly beneficial for child testimonies, where age-related factors play a significant role in memory.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit that helps break decisions down into smaller pieces, allowing for more confident reasoning about probable causes of failure. The circuit enables individuals to navigate hierarchical decisions and adjust their approach based on confidence levels.
Federal prosecutors declined to pursue cases in about one quarter of all instances, with violent and drug cases being more likely to be dropped. The study found differences in decisions based on defendant characteristics, such as gender and race, as well as offense types.
Mariana Mazzucato receives the prize for her novel thinking on state role in public policy and innovation. Her work challenges conventional wisdom and shapes new narratives for Europe's economy.
Researchers found that note-taking during trials enhances jurors' recall of critical evidence and influences verdicts. Jurors with faster handwriting speed, higher short-term memory capacity, and better sustained attention remembered more incriminating evidence, leading to a greater likelihood of finding the defendant guilty.
A UMass Lowell researcher explores the human dynamics behind plea deals, finding that over 95% of US criminal charges are resolved by guilty pleas. Her new NSF grant-funded project aims to reduce false guilty pleas and improve justice system services for defendants, using a computer simulation to test variables affecting plea decisions.
A Rutgers study found that facial trauma lawsuits generally favor physicians, with nearly three-fourths of cases being dismissed before trial. The study also found that patients are most successful in jury trials and in the Midwest, with outcomes favoring plaintiffs in Midwestern courts.
Professor Ted Charsley, a leading authority on thermal analysis, received the prestigious David Dollimore ESTAC Award at the 12th European Symposium on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of thermal analysis and calorimetry.
A Caltech study shows that people can accurately judge a politician's honesty based on their face width. Researchers found that politicians with wider faces were perceived as more corruptible, but it's unclear if they're actually more corrupt. The study suggests that facial appearance may play a role in corruption perceptions.
A recent study surveyed university counseling centers about student requests for letters to allow emotional support animals, finding that most schools struggle with handling such requests. The research also explores the role of courthouse dogs in providing emotional support to witnesses, but raises concerns about their impact on trials.
The Graduate School of Creative Design Engineering at UNIST has received global recognition for its design excellence in collaboration with Dr. Pik Co., Ltd. The company's fully automatic oral cleaner, Dr. Pik, has won the iF Design Award 2018 for its innovative design and functionality.
PolyU has won several prizes at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, including the Grand Prize for its Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lens for Myopia Control. The lens can slow down myopia progression in children by 60% and provides clear vision.
A neuroeconomics model suggests that valuing identity over accuracy leads to accepting incorrect information aligned with political party beliefs. Strategies to reduce this effect include creating a superordinate identity, engaging in constructive dialogue, and increasing the value of accurate beliefs.
Statisticians Steve Lund and Hari Iyer argue that Likelihood Ratio's Bayesian reasoning approach is flawed for courtroom use, risking conclusions driven by assumptions rather than data. NIST recommends using the method only in cases where probability-based models are warranted.