This research examines how prior victim or defendant status influences courtroom outcomes. Using Philadelphia court data, it finds that individuals with dual roles receive different treatment depending on context—leniency as defendants but weaker outcomes as victims. The findings challenge assumptions of neutrality and raise concerns about fairness and consistency in the justice system.

This research examines how trauma-related emotional expression influences police perceptions of victim credibility in sexual assault cases. By testing whether brief trauma education reduces bias, it proposes a low-cost intervention to improve investigative decisions. The goal is to ensure victims are believed based on evidence, not emotional display, promoting justice and accountability.