A Study of Juror Expectations and Demands Concerning Scientific Evidence: Does the 'CSI Effect' Exist?

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Vol. 9, p. 330, 2006

38 Pages Posted: 23 Jan 2007 Last revised: 25 Jul 2008

See all articles by Donald E. Shelton

Donald E. Shelton

Michigan State University - School of Criminal Justice

Young S. Kim

Eastern Michigan University

Gregg Barak

Eastern Michigan University

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

Many prosecutors, judges and journalists have claimed that watching television shows like CSI have caused jurors to wrongfully acquit guilty defendants when no scientific evidence is presented. This is the first empirical study designed to investigate whether the CSI effect exists. This survey of 1027 persons called for jury duty in a State court looked at jurors' television viewing habits, their expectations that the prosecutor would produce scientific evidence, and whether they would demand scientific evidence as a condition of a guilty verdict. While the study did find significant expectations and demands for scientific evidence, there was little or no indication of a link between those preconceptions and watching particular television shows. The authors suggest that to the extent that jurors have significant expectations and demands for scientific evidence, it may have more to do with a broader tech effect in our popular culture rather than any particular CSI effect. At the same time, this article contends that any such increased expectations and demands are legitimate and constitutionally based reflections in jurors of changes in our popular culture, and that the criminal justice system must adapt to accommodate jurors' expectations and demands for scientific evidence.

Keywords: jury, technology, popular culture, evidence

Suggested Citation

Shelton, Donald E. and Kim, Young S. and Barak, Gregg, A Study of Juror Expectations and Demands Concerning Scientific Evidence: Does the 'CSI Effect' Exist? (2006). Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Vol. 9, p. 330, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=958224

Donald E. Shelton (Contact Author)

Michigan State University - School of Criminal Justice ( email )

East Lansing, MI 48824
United States
(734) 564-7898 (Phone)

Young S. Kim

Eastern Michigan University ( email )

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
United States

Gregg Barak

Eastern Michigan University ( email )

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
United States

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