What are the psychological impacts of serving on a jury? Are there specific types of cases that increase the likelihood of negative psychological effects? Are certain jurors more or less susceptible to these impacts? What measures can be taken to mitigate these effects during and after trials?

Background

The Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice aims to establish an effective, modern person-centred and trauma-informed approach to justice in which everyone can have trust, including as victims, those accused of crimes and as individuals in civil disputes. As such, Justice Analytical Services have identified the theme of ‘Justice Processes & Experiences’ as a research priority. Robust research on justice processes, the experiences of complainers and the accused as well as the functioning of juries will inform work towards this aim.