Juvenile offenders on trial: does alibi corroboration evidence and defendant age interact to influence jurors’ perceptions and verdicts?

Abstract

In the present study the potential interaction between defendant age and alibi corroboration on mock jurors' perceptions and assessments of guilt was examined. Mock jurors (N = 231) read a trial transcript varying the defendant's age (14-, 18-, or 22-years-old) and alibi evidence (no corroboration, person corroboration, or physical corroboration). The defendant was significantly less likely to be found guilty if he had physical evidence to support his alibi in comparison to not having support for his alibi. Similarly, the defendant and his alibi were perceived to be more credible, truthful, and believable when he had supporting person or physical evidence. An interaction between defendant age and alibi corroboration was not found; however, alibi corroboration did have a significant influence on mock jurors' decisions. These findings will be discussed in the context of application and future directions.

Key words:

• juror decision making
• alibi corroboration
• defendant age
• eyewitness
• juvenile offenders
• credibility
• guilt