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Science Of Small Talk

The science of social behavior, one interaction at a time

by Sam Sommers

Sam Sommers, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at Tufts University. See full bio

September 3, 2008, Gender

Comments on "When Justice is Less than Blind"

When Justice is Less than Blind

By Sam Sommers on September 3, 2008 in Science Of Small Talk

The nation's eyes have turned to Louisiana once again as the gulf coast starts the recovery from yet another natural disaster. I was originally supposed to travel to New Orleans this week to play a role, albeit minor, in addressing a different, troubling development in the region, one that predates the devastation of Hurricane Katrina three years ago. I was scheduled to testify as an expert in a post-trial hearing regarding racial bias in the legal system, yet another problem with which Louisiana appears all too familiar. Read More

The next step up on jury selection

Submitted by Glen R. Graham on September 12, 2008 - 2:40pm.

It is a good point that the next step up on jury selection would be a question of even if the lawyer presents a "race-neutral" reason for excluding the minority juror, that this is not sufficient proof that the "real" reason might be race based. If there is a pattern of excluding minorities from juries and this can be proven, then at some point a new analysis might be necessary to guarantee a fair trial.
Sincerely,
Glen R. Graham, Tulsa Criminal Attorney, http://www.glenrgraham.com