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The Allen Charge is a trial instruction the presiding judge
issues to the jury to encourage a quick verdict when the decision-making process
appears to have stalled. The Allen Charge has been the subject of extensive legal
writing and controversy. However, empirical examinations are rare. This study begins
to address the coercive nature of the Allen Charge by providing a description of
every federal case appealed from 1964 through March 1999 due to the use of this
directive. The 566 cases analyzed indicate the type of crime, holiday season, and
defendant gender are associated with affirmation of a guilty verdict. Policy
suggestions include a critical re-examination of the use of the Allen Charge.
issues to the jury to encourage a quick verdict when the decision-making process
appears to have stalled. The Allen Charge has been the subject of extensive legal
writing and controversy. However, empirical examinations are rare. This study begins
to address the coercive nature of the Allen Charge by providing a description of
every federal case appealed from 1964 through March 1999 due to the use of this
directive. The 566 cases analyzed indicate the type of crime, holiday season, and
defendant gender are associated with affirmation of a guilty verdict. Policy
suggestions include a critical re-examination of the use of the Allen Charge.