Good lookers can't be crooks
22 Mar 07
Study shows that jurors tend to think attractive people are not guilty
Attractive accused persons are more likely to be found not guilty in court, according to an article in today's Scotsman.
The newspaper quotes recent research that credits the so-called halo effect with influencing the way juries think, i.e. the idea that someone cannot be bad because they look good.
At a conference at York University yesterday, psychologist Dr Sandy Taylor said the research had set out to consider the effects of a person's physical attractiveness and ethnicity.
The study had presented 96 people with a fictitious mugging case and shown them a picture of the offender. Where that person was perceived as attractive, those taking part in the research had tended to acquit them. The person's ethnic background was found to be irrelevant.
Dr Taylor said the study was something legal professionals should bear in mind.