Mathematical Models and Legal Realities: Some Comments on the Poisson Model of Jury Behavior

15 Pages Posted: 30 May 2009

See all articles by David H. Kaye

David H. Kaye

PSU - Penn State Law (University Park); ASU - College of Law & School of Life Sciences

Date Written: 1980

Abstract

While a mathematical model cannot reflect all the elements of reality, modeling involves drastic simplifications, and those expounding the mathematical model would recognize the complexity of the elements. This article illuminates this cause with a mathematical model that seems to be in vogue, developed by the renowned mathematician Simeon Poisson. It reviews the Poisson model in order to enucleate its many assumptions. It also explains why these assumptions may introduce serious errors into the probabilities calculated according to the model. It also indicates one reason that even a relatively error free model would have limited usefulness in resolving the constitutional issue posed by juries composed of fewer than twelve persons.

Keywords: Jury Composition, Simeon Poisson, Statistical Evidence

Suggested Citation

Kaye, David H., Mathematical Models and Legal Realities: Some Comments on the Poisson Model of Jury Behavior (1980). Connecticut Law Review, Vol. 13, 1980, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1411744

David H. Kaye (Contact Author)

PSU - Penn State Law (University Park)

Lewis Katz Building
University Park, PA 16802
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.personal.psu.edu/dhk3/index.htm

ASU - College of Law & School of Life Sciences ( email )

111 E Taylor St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.personal.psu.edu/dhk3/index.htm

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