Civic Awakening in the Jury Room: A Test of the Connection between Jury Deliberation and Political Participation

The Journal of Politics, (2002), Vol. 64, No. 2, Pp. 585-595

Posted: 15 Mar 2016

See all articles by John Gastil

John Gastil

Pennsylvania State University

E. Pierre Deess

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Phil Weiser

University of Colorado Law School

Date Written: May 2002

Abstract

Deliberative democratic theory posits that civic discussion leads to increased involvement in public affairs. To test this claim, this study explored the link between jury deliberation and electoral participation. It was hypothesized that empanelled jurors who reach verdicts are more likely to vote in subsequent elections than empanelled jurors who fail to reach a verdict or even begin deliberations. Data collected in Thurston County, Washington, supported this hypothesis. Controlling for other trial features and past voting frequency, citizens who served on a criminal jury that reached a verdict were more likely to vote in subsequent elections than were those jurors who deadlocked, were dismissed during trial, or merely served as alternates.

Keywords: jury deliberation, political participation, jury theory, deliberation theory

Suggested Citation

Gastil, John and Deess, Eugene Pierre and Weiser, Phil, Civic Awakening in the Jury Room: A Test of the Connection between Jury Deliberation and Political Participation (May 2002). The Journal of Politics, (2002), Vol. 64, No. 2, Pp. 585-595, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2747692

John Gastil (Contact Author)

Pennsylvania State University ( email )

University Park, PA 16802
United States

Eugene Pierre Deess

New Jersey Institute of Technology ( email )

University Heights
Newark, NJ 07102

Phil Weiser

University of Colorado Law School ( email )

401 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
United States

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