Study: Juries often get it wrong

06.20.07

A new Northwestern University study shows that juries in criminal cases are reaching incorrect verdicts. The study, which looked at 271 cases in four areas of Illinois, found that as many as one in eight juries is making the wrong decision – by convicting an innocent person or acquitting a guilty one.

In each case, while the jury deliberated, the judge filled out a questionnaire detailing what his or her verdict would have been had it been a bench trial. The verdicts only matched in 77 percent of cases. The study assumed that judges are at least as likely as a jury to make a correct verdict, leading to the conclusion that juries are only correct 87 percent of the time or less.

The study was conducted by Bruce Spencer, a Northwestern statistics professor, and will be published in the July issue of the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. Spencer said in a statement that it would take a much larger study to truly predict the accuracy of jury verdicts nationwide in all cases.

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rebecca wilaby December 28, 2020 at 9:43 pm Reply   

Thank you for the work you do. I have never learned of you until now. I appreciate your efforts.

Kathy Brown February 9, 2018 at 10:42 pm Reply   

Please I need your help I was found guilty of negligent homicide and criminal neglect my daughter is in jail and we are innocent u am disabled please help me