Chen, Daniel L. and Philippe, Arnaud (2023) Clash of norms judicial leniency on defendant birthdays. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, vol. 211. pp. 324-344.

Abstract

We document judicial leniency on defendant birthdays across 4.8 million decisions. Our results are consistent with reference-dependent social preferences. First, French sentences are 1% fewer and around 5% shorter. Second, U.S. federal judges also round down sentences except when rounding up makes available sentencing reductions for good behavior. No leniency appears on the days before or after a defendant's birthday.