Order of evidence presentation affects the evaluation and the integration of evidence in mock criminal cases. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the order in which incriminating and exonerating evidence is presented influences cognitive dissonance and subsequent display of confirmation bias. Law students (N = 407) were presented with a murder case vignette, followed by incriminating and exonerating evidence in various orders. Contrary to a predicted primacy effect (i.e. early evidence being most influential), a recency effect (i.e. late evidence being most influential) was observed in ratings of likelihood of the suspect’s guilt. The cognitive dissonance ratings and conviction rates were not affected by the order of evidence presentation. The effects of evidence presentation order may be limited to specific aspects of legal decisions. However, there is a need to replicate the results using procedures and samples that are more representative of real-life criminal law trials.

证据呈现顺序影响模拟刑事案件中证据的评估和整合。在这项研究中，我们旨在确定提出有罪和无罪证据的顺序是否会影响认知失调和随后的确认偏误。法学院学生（N = 407) 被出示了一个谋杀案小插曲，然后是各种命令的有罪和无罪证据。与预测的首要效应（即早期证据最有影响力）相反，在嫌疑人有罪的可能性评级中观察到了新近效应（即晚期证据最有影响力）。认知失调评级和定罪率不受证据呈现顺序的影响。证据陈述令的影响可能仅限于法律决定的特定方面。但是，需要使用更能代表现实刑法审判的程序和样本来复制结果。