Objective We examine whether affective, verbal, and restitutive displays of remorse are associated with perceived offender immorality, as well as whether displays of remorse exert indirect effects on preferences for... Learn More
Using a national sample of U.S. adults (N = 371), this study experimentally examines (1) public support for the use of strategies that provide early release (i.e., “second chance” mechanisms)... Learn More
The current study explores if and how dual-process thinking styles (System I/experiential and System II/rational processing) predict and explain the degree to which members of the public express moral panic... Learn More
This study examines US popular support for mechanisms that provide early release and “second chances” for individuals serving long-term prison sentences. An experiment using a national sample of US adults (N=836). Data... Learn More
This paper discusses how existing legal strategies can be used to help bring immediate relief to individuals serving long-term prison sentences for drug-related crimes by creating or expanding opportunities for... Learn More
People often perceive social groups (e.g. ethnic groups, occupations, gender groups) as having fixed membership and discrete boundaries. This paper proposes that essentialist beliefs about abstract crime concepts, as naturally... Learn More
U.S. courts currently show no coherent approach with regard to how evidence of childhood abuse is considered in sentencing. Existing state and federal caselaw suggests that courts rarely place significant... Learn More
Although shame and guilt are often conceived as adverse sentiments in criminal contexts, defendants’ expressions of remorse may actually act as an effective “therapeutic tool” in the legal process in... Learn More
Courts occupy a unique position in the justice system that is steeped in tradition and formality. Likewise, any changes from established procedure are likely to invite challenges to decisions and... Learn More