Schemas in Criminal Trials
Most everyone has seen criminal trials (both fictitious and real) on TV. You know, then, that the trial starts with opening statements and ends with closing arguments by the prosecution and defense, respectively.
For this Discussion, you will examine the advantages and disadvantages of schemas.
Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider the advantages and disadvantages of schema.
Imagine you are a juror. Exactly how do opening statements and closing arguments function as schemas? In particular, what impact would opening statements have on how you, as a juror, would interpret evidence proffered at trial?
Post how your preconceptions (i.e., your schema) might supersede the schema (i.e., theory) of the case as presented by attorneys for the state and for the defendant during opening statements. How might the strength of your preconceptions cause you to reject the attorneys’ attempt to provide a schema for the case?
Schemas in Criminal Trials
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Schemas allow for effective decision-making and constitute a helpful strategy to create order where there is chaos. On the contrary, schemas also potentiate disadvantages as they could lead to preconceived notions or biases that cause the jury to misinterpret information or make biased judgments. The opening statement can function as a schema because it helps outline the facts at the beginning of a trial. In this respect, each party is allowed to influence the jurors on how to view witnesses and the parties to the case, including the guideline on how the trial would unfold. Closing statements can also function as a schema because it reminds the juror of the vital evidence provided to convince them to embrace a specific interpretation favoring one party. The closing argument acts as a schema because it allows the parties to leverage hypothetical scenarios to dismantle or authenticate the witnesses’ credibility and offer a compelling perspective to influence the juror’s decision (United States Courts, n.d.). As a juror, the opening statement would...