« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted  (Read 2343 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« on: May 19, 2010, 03:08:53 AM »
Quote
According to a Cornell University study, unattractive defendants are 22 percent more likely to be convicted than good-looking ones. And the unattractive also get slapped with harsher sentences - an average of 22 months longer in prison.

The study, "When Emotionality Trumps Reason," was authored by Cornell graduate Justin Gunnell and Stephen Ceci, a professor of developmental psychology. It examines how some jurors make decisions rationally, based on facts and logic, while others reason emotionally, taking into consideration factors unrelated to the case - attractiveness being one of them.

In serious cases with strong evidence, there was little difference in the conviction rate between attractive and unattractive defendants. But in more minor cases, with ambiguous evidence, jurors were more biased toward the good-looking.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/17/national/main6492046.shtml

I guess some of you are just out of luck. :whistling:
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline Alpha Mare

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2009
  • Reputation: +73/-5
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2010, 03:54:13 AM »
Heck, I've never even gotten a ticket.  :-*
Logged
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
    - Charlton Heston

Offline longview

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3292
  • Reputation: +224/-34
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2010, 06:30:17 AM »
I guess the old saying, "If you can't be pretty, you'd better be good," was talking about this.
Logged

Offline Alpha Mare

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2009
  • Reputation: +73/-5
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2010, 07:21:58 AM »
Quote from: longview on May 19, 2010, 06:30:17 AM
I guess the old saying, "If you can't be pretty, you'd better be good," was talking about this.

That explains this:
Logged
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
    - Charlton Heston

Offline DumbAss Tanker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 28493
  • Reputation: +1710/-151
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2010, 09:00:21 AM »
While there is no doubt some truth to the idea, it is still extremely difficult if not impossible to isolate that as the sole variable responsible, since people who are stupid, clueless, or have mental issues (Not sufficient to amount to a competence issue) also tend not to clean up or present as well in court.
Logged
Go and tell the Spartans, O traveler passing by
That here, obedient to their law, we lie.

Anything worth shooting once is worth shooting at least twice.

Offline Wineslob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14480
  • Reputation: +816/-193
  • Sucking the life out of Liberty
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2010, 10:39:31 AM »
Quote from: DumbAss Tanker on May 19, 2010, 09:00:21 AM
While there is no doubt some truth to the idea, it is still extremely difficult if not impossible to isolate that as the sole variable responsible, since people who are stupid, clueless, or have mental issues (Not sufficient to amount to a competence issue) also tend not to clean up or present as well in court.

My brother in law was killed by a drunk driver several years ago. The woman that did this was essentially a crack whore, judging by her arrest pics. However, in court you would have thought she was a high priced lawyer. It helped get her off with a VERY light sentence.
Logged
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Alpha Mare

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2009
  • Reputation: +73/-5
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2010, 10:55:40 AM »
I often end up sitting in court waiting to testify (animal abuse) and it never ceases to amaze what some people wear and how they act. No respect for the court at all- or themselves either I guess. The judges don't hide what they think of it, that's for sure.
Logged
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
    - Charlton Heston

Offline Hawkgirl

  • Alpha Female
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4291
  • Reputation: +186/-73
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2010, 11:07:08 AM »
Quote from: Alpha Mare on May 19, 2010, 10:55:40 AM
I often end up sitting in court waiting to testify (animal abuse) and it never ceases to amaze what some people wear and how they act. No respect for the court at all- or themselves either I guess. The judges don't hide what they think of it, that's for sure.

Anyone who abuses animals should get no leniency, ever.  No matter how they are dressed in court.
Logged

Online SSG Snuggle Bunny

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23541
  • Reputation: +2473/-270
  • Voted Rookie-of-the-Year, 3 years running
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2010, 01:14:07 PM »
How about those of us that have looks that could kill?

*preens*
Logged
According to the Bible, "know" means "yes."

Offline The Village Idiot

  • Banned
  • Probationary (Probie)
  • Posts: 54
  • Reputation: +96/-15
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2010, 01:21:20 PM »
Quote from: Alpha Mare on May 19, 2010, 10:55:40 AM
I often end up sitting in court waiting to testify (animal abuse) and it never ceases to amaze what some people wear and how they act. No respect for the court at all- or themselves either I guess. The judges don't hide what they think of it, that's for sure.

People are not taught respect they are taught self-esteem and me me me
Logged

Offline Freeper

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17779
  • Reputation: +1311/-314
  • Creepy ass cracker.
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2010, 03:16:33 PM »
Logged
I may not lock my doors while sitting at a red light and a black man is near, but I sure as hell grab on tight to my wallet when any democrats are close by.

Offline DumbAss Tanker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 28493
  • Reputation: +1710/-151
Re: Unattractive Defendants 22 Percent More Likely to Be Convicted
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2010, 05:01:08 PM »
Quote from: Mr Snuggle Bunny on May 19, 2010, 01:14:07 PM
How about those of us that have looks that could kill?


Well, it got Medusa beheaded.

 :evillaugh:

Logged
Go and tell the Spartans, O traveler passing by
That here, obedient to their law, we lie.

Anything worth shooting once is worth shooting at least twice.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »