NCJ Number
239761
Journal
Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: May - June 2012 Pages: 211-226
Date Published
June 2012
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The status of "ex-offender" has many negative consequences and proves especially damaging when an ex-offender is accused of a new crime.
Abstract
The status of "ex-offender" has many negative consequences and proves especially damaging when an ex-offender is accused of a new crime. Previous research provides evidence that jurors are more prone to convict defendants when the defendant has a prior criminal record. The purpose of this article is to provide attorneys with a list of resources identified to correlate with attitudes toward ex-offenders. With this list, attorneys will be better able to identify potential jurors that hold stigmatizing attitudes toward ex-offenders. Grounded in the theories of normalization and legitimation, key juror attitudes to address during jury selection are highlighted, including authoritarianism, victimization history, and exposure to ex-offenders. The study specifically articulates sample resources from the public domain for use by attorneys. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.