The Csi Effect Summary
Analysis of the ‘CSI Effect’
The Honorable Donald E. Sheldon is a felony trial judge in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a member of the faculty at Eastern Michigan University. In Sheldon’s article, The ‘CSI Effect’: Does it really exist? that was published in the National Institute of Justice, he discusses the craze around the “crime-fiction television dramas” and the possible effects it has on jurors in their decisions in court cases. (Sheldon, par. 3)With the country in complete fascination with crime-fiction Sheldon found television rating from 2006 that showed that “five of the top ten television programs that week were about scientific evidence in criminal cases. Together they amassed more than 100 million viewers.” (Sheldon, Par. 6) With more than 100 million viewers watching crime-fiction in a given week Sheldon wonders “how many of them report for juror duty the next day?”(Sheldon, Par. 7) If the number is significant does it affect how they will judge the outcome in the courtroom?
These television programs have become such a hit that attorneys, …show more content…
Sheldon states that “we believe it is crucial for judges and lawyers to understand the juror expectations for forensic evidence.” It has become increasingly important that judges and lawyers understand the jurors needs in order for them to get a conviction. Sheldon believes that it is more of a “Tech Effect” that has more influence for jurors rather than the CSI Effect. (Sheldon, Par. 31) Sheldon explains that, “Our criminal justice system must find ways to adapt to the increased expectations of those whom we ask to cast votes of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’.” (Sheldon par. 38) I see this as a way for the prosecution to get what they want in a case, meaning that we must evolve in such a way to gather better understandings and find more ways to provide evidence in a case to satisfy the needs of those we ask to
The Honorable Donald E. Sheldon is a felony trial judge in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a member of the faculty at Eastern Michigan University. In Sheldon’s article, The ‘CSI Effect’: Does it really exist? that was published in the National Institute of Justice, he discusses the craze around the “crime-fiction television dramas” and the possible effects it has on jurors in their decisions in court cases. (Sheldon, par. 3)With the country in complete fascination with crime-fiction Sheldon found television rating from 2006 that showed that “five of the top ten television programs that week were about scientific evidence in criminal cases. Together they amassed more than 100 million viewers.” (Sheldon, Par. 6) With more than 100 million viewers watching crime-fiction in a given week Sheldon wonders “how many of them report for juror duty the next day?”(Sheldon, Par. 7) If the number is significant does it affect how they will judge the outcome in the courtroom?
These television programs have become such a hit that attorneys, …show more content…
Sheldon states that “we believe it is crucial for judges and lawyers to understand the juror expectations for forensic evidence.” It has become increasingly important that judges and lawyers understand the jurors needs in order for them to get a conviction. Sheldon believes that it is more of a “Tech Effect” that has more influence for jurors rather than the CSI Effect. (Sheldon, Par. 31) Sheldon explains that, “Our criminal justice system must find ways to adapt to the increased expectations of those whom we ask to cast votes of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’.” (Sheldon par. 38) I see this as a way for the prosecution to get what they want in a case, meaning that we must evolve in such a way to gather better understandings and find more ways to provide evidence in a case to satisfy the needs of those we ask to