Applying Moral Foundations Theory to the Explanation of Capital Jurors’ Sentencing Decisions

Abstract

This study applies moral foundations theory to capital juror decision making. We hypothesized that binding moral foundations would predict death qualification and punitive sentencing decisions, whereas individualizing moral foundations would be associated with juror disqualification and a leniency effect. Additionally, we considered whether moral foundations can explain differences in death penalty application between conservatives and liberals. Respondents from two independent samples participated in a mock-juror task in which the circumstances of a hypothetical defendant’s case varied. Results revealed moral foundations were strong predictors of death qualification. The binding and individualizing foundations were related to sentencing decisions in the expected ways. Supporting our contention that moral foundations operate differently across different types of cases, heterogeneity in the effects of moral foundations was observed. Finally, we found support for the hypothesis that the relationship between sentencing decisions and conservatism would be attenuated by moral foundations.     

认罪认罚从宽制度的体系性反思与建构

虽然认罪认罚从宽制度是在我国《刑事诉讼法》中得以正式确立的,但《刑事诉讼法》中涉及此制度的具体规定又都是操作层面的。据此,认罪认罚从宽制度的合理性并不能得以阐释。而依据我国《刑法》,对认罪认罚从宽制度的合理性则可以从形式逻辑、实质逻辑以及价值理念三个维度予以充分证成。由此可知,认罪认罚从宽制度本质上系《刑法》中的一种刑罚裁量制度,认罪认罚本质上是法定的从宽量刑情节。在定罪层面,犯罪嫌疑人、被告人只需自愿承认不法事实系其所为,即构成"认罪",而无需准确评价自身行为的法律性质并准确识别具体罪名;在量刑层面,"认罚"考察的重点是犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的悔罪态度和悔罪表现。应当通过刑法立法的方式将认罪认罚从宽制度与自首制度、坦白制度部分重叠地整合在一起,以避免"概念混同""重复评价"的错误倾向。     

中国加入WTO以后职务犯罪发展趋势及对策研究

中国加入世贸组织以后,随着经济贸易的进一步发展,一定时期内,职务犯罪将表现为更加复杂、严重和突出,而且会出现典型的多发部位。而治理和预防新形势下的职务犯罪,需要完善刑事法律规范和预防工作的相关立法,并以体制和制度保障加强惩治力度,以超前的意识作为指导思想,运用健全的权力监督制约机制和刑罚的预防功能等具有针对性的策略全面加以防范,突出社会效果。     

当代美国的死刑制度

美国最高法院在1972年曾经宣布暂停死刑执行,但是在1976年又恢复了死刑的执行,目前美国是唯一仍然保留并适用死刑的所谓西方文明国家。美国联邦系统和38个州的刑法都规定了死刑,可以适用死刑的罪行还比较多,但是罪名相对比较集中;死刑诉讼程序严格且复杂;相对于美国庞大的犯罪数字,尤其是暴力犯罪而言,其死刑判决和实际执行死刑数量仍属较低;美国死刑执行方式呈现为以注射方式为主多种执行方法并存的特点。美国死刑程序复杂但是死刑错判率仍然较高。     

论治安行政听证制度的基本原则

行政听证制度是我国立法引进的一项新制度,是行政程序法的核心内容。公安机关在进行治安行政听证工作中,应当认真借鉴国外相关的立法,健全和完善公开原则、言词原则、职能分离原则、事先告知原则、记录排他性原则。     

理性呼唤与死刑适用

思考世界死刑命运,反观我国关于死刑的司法实践和传统理念,严格死刑的适用标准成为必要。同时,展望未来,为了适应国际人权法的要求和实现我国所承担的国际义务,应当从立法上限制死刑的适用。     

Capital punishment, criminals and enemies

Right of life and life are different concept. The former is endowed w by state beforehand, which is proved through his behavior that he is deserved to own the right of life. The one who thoroughly offend the basic norm in the law is the enemy of our realistic world. If only the enemy still have danger to threaten the society, he should be executed to death penalty, and deprived of his life, but will not happen the problem of miscarriage of justice and inhumanity. The criminal’s behavior just only denies part of norm in the law, however, who still is mankind and should possess of mankind’s dignity, so we must abolish death penalty on them, miscarriage of justice is another reason of course. __________ Translated from Peking University Law Journal, 2005(5) (in Chinese) by Mi Zhibin     

稳压电源性能测试仪研制

针对线性稳压电源的性能指标测试过程繁琐、测量结果不理想等问题，我们采用单片机技术实现了全自动测量，将测量中所需的自耦调压器、滑线变阻器、各种测量仪表（交流电压表、精密直流电压表、精密电流表、交流毫伏表）分别设计成智能仪表，自动输出和测量稳压电源需要的工频信号和输出的电压、电流信号，同时进行指标的计算，实时显示稳压电源的性能指标，根据需要可由微型打印机输出测量结果。     

确实加强对支票违规行为的行政处罚

对支票违规行为实施监督、管理、处罚是人民银行的一项重要管理职责。但是实践中存在掌握违法信息难,取证难,罚款收缴难等问题。应通过建立开发空头支票监测系统,设立处罚种类,加强与司法部门合作等途径来加强管理。     

谈行政处罚适用中的“一事不再罚”原则

“一事不再罚”原则是反映自然公正、法治、秩序等价值理念。但在理论与实践中,执法人员还需进一步深入研究,使其真正完备起来,为行政执法、行政处罚实践提供更全面的理论指导与更强的依据性、可操作性。