Extending the Fuzzy-Trace Theory informed model of guilty plea decision making: Accounting for factual guilt and innocence.

Rebecca K. Helm; Tina M. Zottoli

doi:10.1037/lhb0000654

Extending the Fuzzy-Trace Theory informed model of guilty plea decision making: Accounting for factual guilt and innocence.

Rebecca K. Helm
, Tina M. Zottoli

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study shows that sentence discounts awarded to defendants who plead guilty may impact guilty and innocent defendants differently. These results have important implications for policy reform because they suggest that by offering discounts that create a moderate (but not large) categorical distinction between trial and plea sentences, we might maximize the number of guilty defendants pleading guilty while retaining low plea rates among factually innocent defendants.

Original language	English
Journal	Law and human behavior
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000654
State	Accepted/In press - 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Fuzzy-Trace Theory
guilty plea decision making
guilty pleas
miscarriage of justice
plea bargaining

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10.1037/lhb0000654

Cite this

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title = "Extending the Fuzzy-Trace Theory informed model of guilty plea decision making: Accounting for factual guilt and innocence.",

abstract = "This study shows that sentence discounts awarded to defendants who plead guilty may impact guilty and innocent defendants differently. These results have important implications for policy reform because they suggest that by offering discounts that create a moderate (but not large) categorical distinction between trial and plea sentences, we might maximize the number of guilty defendants pleading guilty while retaining low plea rates among factually innocent defendants.",

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journal = "Law and human behavior",

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AU - Zottoli, Tina M.

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PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This study shows that sentence discounts awarded to defendants who plead guilty may impact guilty and innocent defendants differently. These results have important implications for policy reform because they suggest that by offering discounts that create a moderate (but not large) categorical distinction between trial and plea sentences, we might maximize the number of guilty defendants pleading guilty while retaining low plea rates among factually innocent defendants.

AB - This study shows that sentence discounts awarded to defendants who plead guilty may impact guilty and innocent defendants differently. These results have important implications for policy reform because they suggest that by offering discounts that create a moderate (but not large) categorical distinction between trial and plea sentences, we might maximize the number of guilty defendants pleading guilty while retaining low plea rates among factually innocent defendants.

KW - Fuzzy-Trace Theory

KW - guilty plea decision making

KW - guilty pleas

KW - miscarriage of justice

KW - plea bargaining

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031231240

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DO - 10.1037/lhb0000654

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105031231240

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JO - Law and human behavior

JF - Law and human behavior

ER -

Extending the Fuzzy-Trace Theory informed model of guilty plea decision making: Accounting for factual guilt and innocence.

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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