Science Of Small Talk

The science of social behavior, one interaction at a time

When Justice is Less than Blind

Blind JusticeThe 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

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

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Sam Sommers, Ph.D., is a social psychologist at Tufts University and author of the forthcoming book Situations Matter

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