Keywords
Jury selection; Prosecutorial discretion; Sex disparities; racial disparities; bias in criminal justice; voir dire
Abstract
Within the American judicial system, juries have played a central role in promoting representation and fairness in the courtroom. However, limited information exists on whether prosecutorial decisions during jury selection, jury composition, or jury behavior differ based on the sex, race/ethnicity, type of case, political ideology, or geographic location of potential jurors. Following PRISMA guidelines, this scoping review synthesizes 48 peer-reviewed articles published between the 1940s and 2026 to examine whether prosecutorial decision-making and jury outcomes vary based on the sex, race/ethnicity, type of case, political ideology, or geographic location of potential jurors. Findings indicated that men are disproportionately selected as jury forepersons and participate more actively in deliberations, while women are more likely to vote guilty in criminal cases (particularly in sexual assault and child abuse trials). Although women are more likely to vote guilty, women are less supportive of the death penalty than men. Racial disparities were more pronounced than other demographic disparities, with White jurors overrepresented in jury pools and more likely than racial minority jurors to support convictions and capital punishment, especially in cases involving Black defendants. Case type amplified these demographic effects, such as the increased likelihood of conviction for Black defendants facing drug charges, whereas political ideology and geographic location produced mixed and limited findings. These findings highlight the need for continued evaluation of jury selection practices and reforms that promote representative jury pools. For example, jurisdictions may implement policies that increase oversight of peremptory challenges or expand jury lists to improve diversity of jury pools. Strengthening inclusiveness in the jury selection process is essential for ensuring fairness and maintaining confidence in the justice system.
Thesis Completion Year
2026
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Peck, Jennifer
College
College of Community Innovation and Education
Department
Legal Studies
Thesis Discipline
Criminal Justice, Legal Studies
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
PONS, ANA B., "Who Makes The Jury? Demographics And Decision-Making In The Jury Process." (2026). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 487.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/487
Included in
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