These are summary notes on the whole of AC2.4, they include information on influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases, including: Evidence, media, witnesses, experts, politics, judiciary, barristers & legal teams & relevant case studies. I took these notes into my Criminology Unit 3 contro...
AC 2.4 Assess key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases (10 marks)
Influence: Evidence (what is it?)
§ Can prove a suspect is guilty or innocent
§ There are 2 types of evidence: Physical & Testimonial
§ Evidence has a huge impact on the result of a case, as the jury bases their decision on the evidence
presented to them.
§ Each member of the jury takes an oath stating they will ‘give a true verdict according to the
evidence’
How does it relate to a criminal trial?
§ The evidence directs the outcome of a trial and should lead to justice
§ The prosecution presents the evidence to the jury/magistrate to try and prove ‘beyond reasonable
doubt’ that the defendant is guilty of the crime (Burden of proof)
§ The defence tries to disprove the evidence
§ The jury/magistrate can attach as much meaning to the evidence as they feel
Case study:
Lucy Letby – Shows how evidence can impact a jury, a letter written by Letby was found in her apartment
stating ‘I am evil, I did this’. The letter was presented in court, which played a major role in convicting her of
a series of attacks on vulnerable babies, whilst working as a nurse at a hospital.
Does it have a positive or negative outcome on a trial?
Positive – When evidence is collected correctly (without contamination or bias) it increases the reliability of
the evidence, which can lead to justice being served if the guilty party is convicted or an innocent person is
acquitted of the crime.
Negative – If the evidence is unreliable it can lead to a miscarriage of justice
Influence: Media (what is it?)
§ Media such as newspapers and social media can report on crime
§ Members of the public may read the report and interpret it as fact, even if it's not
§ Media reports can also mislead the police into pursuing an innocent subject with prejudice
How does it relate to a criminal trial?
§ Suspects might not get a fair trial if the jury has read media reports and gets a preconceived opinion
on the case (‘Trial by media’)
§ The jury will ignore the evidence presented and be biased towards media reports
Case study:
Christopher Jeffries – Was interviewed in connection to the murder of Joanna Yates. The media reported
that Jeffries was ‘odd’ and ‘angry’, however in reality Jeffries was innocent, and the newspapers had to issue
a public apology.
Does it have a positive or negative outcome on a trial?
Negative – Juries may overlook the evidence presented to them in court and rather decide based on what they
have seen in the media.
Influence: Witnesses (what is it?)
§ Witnesses are individuals who were present at the time of the crime or have significant information
that relates to the crime and will lead to justice
§ The prosecution and defence can call on witnesses to give a testimony (evidence)
How does it relate to a criminal trial?
§ Witnesses can support both the prosecution and defence
§ The prosecution will call its own witnesses to the stand, then the defence is also able to cross-
examine the witness on the evidence they provided (‘Examination in chief’)
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