Evidence summarized in attorneys' closing arguments predicts acquittals in criminal trials of child sexual abuse

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dc.contributor.authorStolzenberg, S. N., & Lyon, T. D.
dc.date.accessioned2015-01-26T17:05:15Z
dc.date.available2015-01-26T17:05:15Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractEvidence summarized in attorney’s closing arguments of criminal child sexual abuse cases (N=189) was coded to predict acquittal rates. Ten variables were significant bivariate predictors; five variables significant at p<.01 were entered into a multivariate model. Cases were likely to result in an acquittal when the defendant was not charged with force, the child maintained contact with the defendant after the abuse occurred, or the defense presented a hearsay witness regarding the victim’s statements, a witness regarding the victim’s character, or a witness regarding another witnesses’ character (usually the mother). The findings suggest that jurors might believe that child molestation is akin to a stereotype of violent rape and that they may be swayed by defense challenges to the victim’s credibility and the credibility of those close to the victim. (Author Abstract)en_US
dc.identifier.citationStolzenberg, S. N., & Lyon, T. D. (2014). Evidence summarized in attorney’s closing arguments predicts acquittals in criminal trials of child sexual abuse. Child Maltreatment, 19(2), 119-129.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1113&context=thomaslyon
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/2105
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherChild Maltreatmenten_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjectchild sexual abuseen_US
dc.subjectlawen_US
dc.subjectcourten_US
dc.subjecttestimonyen_US
dc.subjectresearchen_US
dc.subjectcredibilityen_US
dc.subjectchild witnessen_US
dc.titleEvidence summarized in attorneys' closing arguments predicts acquittals in criminal trials of child sexual abuseen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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