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Article
Contrition in the Courtroom: Do Apologies Affect Adjudication?
Cornell Law Review
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Keywords
- apologizing,
- judges,
- law
Abstract
Apologies usually help to repair social relationships and appease aggrieved parties. Previous research has demonstrated that in legal settings, apologies influence how litigants and juries evaluate both civil and criminal defendants. Judges, however, routinely encounter apologies offered for instrumental reasons, such as to reduce a civil damage award or fine, or to shorten a criminal sentence. Frequent exposure to insincere apologies might make judges suspicious of or impervious to apologies. In a series of experimental studies with judges as research participants, we find that in some criminal settings, apologies can induce judges to be more lenient, but overall, apologizing to a judge is often unhelpful and can even be harmful
Citation Information
Chris Guthrie. "Contrition in the Courtroom: Do Apologies Affect Adjudication?" Cornell Law Review Vol. 98 (2013) p. 1189 ISSN: 0010-8847 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chris-guthrie/24/