Juries and children’s testimony

What is it about?

Children often serve as witnesses in legal cases, especially those involving abuse or domestic violence, but their testimonies can be challenging for juries to evaluate. Sometimes children appear in court as offenders as well. This encyclopedia entry reviews research on how jurors perceive and respond to children’s testimony. In particular, it considers how factors such as the child’s age, demeanor, and whether the child testifies in court or via alternative methods (like closed-circuit TV) can influence juror judgments.

Featured Image

Photo by Pamela Buenrostro on Unsplash

Photo by Pamela Buenrostro on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Improving juror understanding of the strengths and limitations of children’s testimony can lead to fairer verdicts.