Predicting decisions rendered in criminal appeals

Abstract

This study examined whether select legal and extra-legal factors were significant in predicting the decisions rendered in criminal appeals from two trial courts to an intermediate appellate court in Florida. Mode of disposition at trial court and the type of counsel who filed the appeal were insignificant, whereas the race of the defendant and whether the trial judge departed from the sentence recommended by the guidelines were significant. It is suggested future studies focus on legal and extra- legal factors as predictors of decisions in criminal appeals.