Quantification of standards of proof thresholds in criminal and civil litigation
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Major/Program
Psychology
First Advisor's Name
Gary P. Moran
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Bennett Schwartz
Third Advisor's Name
Janat F. Parker
Date of Defense
10-22-1997
Abstract
Standards of proof in law serve the purpose of instructing juries as to the expected levels of confidence in determinations of fact. In criminal trials, to reach a guilty verdict a jury must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt, and in civil trials by a preponderance of the evidence. The purposes of this study are to determine the quantitative thresholds used to make these determinations; to ascertain the levels of juror agreement with basic principles of justice; and to try to predict thresholds and beliefs by juror personality characteristics. Participants read brief case descriptions and indicated thresholds in percentages, their beliefs in various principles, and completed three personality measures. A 92-94% threshold in criminal and an 80% threshold in civil matters was found; but prediction by personality was not supported. Significant percentages of jurors disavowed the presumptions of innocence and right to counsel.
Identifier
FI14051108
Recommended Citation
Berg, Richard Allan, "Quantification of standards of proof thresholds in criminal and civil litigation" (1997). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1600.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1600
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