Discussion Paper 2305, 'Lady Justice: The impact of female judges on jury trials verdicts in North Carolina', by Alessandra Foresta.
This study evaluates the impact of judges’ gender on jury trial outcomes in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The identification strategy is based on judges’ rotation across different districts. The results indicate that, in trials presided over by female judges, juries are more likely to render guilty verdicts. I conduct a series of robustness and heterogeneity checks. Finally, I discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these findings and explore the influence of the jury selection process, the role of judges’ demeanour, and women’s attitudes towards the courts and sentencing.
Keywords: Gender, Judge, Trials behaviours
JEL Codes: K10, K40, J16