Examining the effect of victim criminal record status on punishment decisions in the United States: moderation by crime media consumption

Using a vignette experimental design describing an assault where we varied whether victims had a criminal record (N = 853), this study examines whether victim criminal record status and crime media consumption affect punishment decisions, and if the effect of victim criminal record status on punishment varies by crime media consumption. Results show that participants were less likely to find the defendant guilty in scenarios where the victim had a criminal record, compared to scenarios where the victim did not. Further, greater consumption of nonfictional crime media was associated with a greater likelihood of the defendant receiving a punitive post-release condition. However, the effect of victim criminal record status on punishment did not vary by crime media consumption.