Group Discussion and Child Eyewitness Involvement and Age Affect Mock Juror Decisions in a Sexual Abuse Trial

Testifying child’s age (5, 11, or 16) and participation in abuse (bystander or victim) were examined in a sexual abuse trial along with deliberation type. Mock jurors who participated in group deliberation found the defendant less guilty. When the testifying child was a bystander, jurors found the defendant guiltier.