Effects of Participant Age, Feelings Toward Elders, and Type of Harm on Juror Perceptions of an Elder Maltreatment Trial

We examined mock jurors’ perceptions of an elderly victim of neglect compared to physical abuse. Verdict outcomes did not differ but participants had more verdict confidence in the neglect vs. abuse case. Warm feelings toward elders predicted positive perceptions of the elderly victim. Older participants had more positive defendant perceptions.