Emotions in the Court: How Danish Legal Professionals Judge Victims

Standing in a Danish courtroom, waiting for a verdict. You might think the focus is on facts and evidence. But researchers found something else. They studied how Danish legal professionals judge the trustworthiness of victims based on their emotional expressions. Picture this: emotional shows must match the crime, blend in with the social scene, and fit the victim's social image. This study dived into several projects, watching crime cases and chatting with justice pros. Guess what? Danes love calm and quiet. They see it as truly Danish, unlike some ethnic minorities. So, emotions in courtrooms are read through this Danish lens. Professionals look at how you show emotions, and it can tilt legal decisions.This cultural bias isn't new. Think about gender and ethnicity. Same here – emotions play a big role. The spotlight is on how cultural and social vibes shape trustworthiness. It's like wearing a specific emotional outfit, and it matters who's doing the judging. The takeaway? We need to wake up to these hidden effects. Emotions aren't just tears or laughter; they steer legal choices in ways we might not see.