Summary
[...] experts have acknowledged that graphic evidence and testimony is capable of having adverse effects.4 Recent high profile cases include that of Dena Schlosser, who was accused of cutting her baby's arms off with a knife, and the retrial of Andrea Yates, who faced capital murder charges for the drowning of her five children. The level of emotion and tension found in courtrooms is a major contributor to the heightened stress levels of those involved in legal cases.9 Many researchers have raised concerns about jurors' mental and physical health risks.10 Some researchers and judges believe that it is important to study juror stress because the legal system is responsible for jurors' comfort.
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Addressing the Problem of Courtroom Stress
Courtrooms can be stressful places; legal actors and courthouse visitors experience occasional acts of violence, gruesome trial evidence, and a number of daily, low-level stressors. Each of these sources has the potential to affect both judges and jurors.
In June of 2006, Darren Mack allegedly shot Judge Chuck Weller through his Washoe County, Nevada, courthouse office window. Reportedly, Mack was dissatisfied with Weller's decisions concerning child support and alimony.1 Violence directed at judges and their families represents a growing phenomenon; violent events of 2005 include the highly publicized shooting at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta and the murder of federal judge Joan Lefkow's family in Chicago. As a result of the growing threats of violence, judges in some jurisdictions are canying concealed weapons,2 and writers (e.g., critics, advocates, journalists) have called for measures to examine and address the issue of courtroom violence.3These unexpected stressors contribute to the significant sources of stress judges and jurors routinely experience. For example, experts have acknowledged that graphic evidence and testimony is capable of having adverse effects.4 Recent high profile cases include that of Dena Schlosser, who was accused of cutting her baby's arms off with a knife, and the retrial of Andrea Yates, who faced capital murder charges for the drowning of her five children. These cases not only contain gruesome evidence, but also may prove traumatic to the judge and jurors who attempt to comprehend such acts. The decision-making process may be especially stressful if judges or jurors are asked to apply laws that conflict with their personal beliefs.5Judges and jurors also experience stress due to more mundane aspects of the trial process.6 Jurors can experience stress as a result of the disruption of their daily routines. Judges can experience stress due to the responsibilities of trial management. These examples illustrate the variety of courtroom stressors. High levels of stress have the potential to affect the decis...See the full content of this document
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