Summary

In this episode, David Koehne interviews John Meixner, an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Georgia, who specialises in the intersection of law and neuroscience, particularly in the context of criminal law. John shares his journey from psychology to law, discussing his research on judicial decision-making, the importance of mitigating factors in sentencing, and the implications of emerging neurotechnologies in the legal field. He emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of mental health considerations in sentencing and the potential impact of neuroscience on legal practices.

Takeaways

• John Meixner's background in psychology led him to law.
• Judicial discretion plays a significant role in sentencing.
• Mitigating factors can greatly influence sentencing outcomes.
• Neuroscience can provide insights into mental health in legal contexts.
• Emerging neurotechnologies may change how evidence is evaluated.
• The concealed information test could be a valuable tool in investigations.
• Polygraphs are often unreliable but still used in practice.
• Mental health considerations are crucial in understanding criminal behavior.
• Research on sentencing can reveal biases in the justice system.
• John's work aims to bridge the gap between law and neuroscience.