Fair Trial Analysis is a nonprofit organization based in Orlando, Florida. We assist litigators and courts by evaluating the fairness of trials using a structured, principled framework grounded in legal doctrine and scientific methodology. We believe that parties should understand the risks of going to trial, litigators should make sound strategic decisions, and courts should issue fair and well-informed rulings in appeals and post-conviction proceedings.

Mission

We are committed to promoting a fundamentally fair criminal justice system. To advance this mission, we file amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs that offer judges objective, independent analysis of how trial errors and omissions affect the probability of conviction, the likelihood of a death sentence, and jurors’ understanding of the case. We do not favor the defense or the prosecution. In some cases, we recommend upholding convictions and sentences; in other cases, we recommend new trials. We favor fair trials and support fairness in appeals and post-conviction proceedings. We publish articles detailing our analytical methods and maintain an open-source software package that enables others to apply these tools.

Most of our applied research is pro bono support in complex capital cases. We identify cases from across the country where scientific analysis of trial errors and omissions may advance fairness and justice. We also provide analytical services to litigators and law firms at reasonable rates. Revenue from these services helps fund our public-interest research and outreach efforts.

Founder

Fair Trial Analysis was founded by Barry C. Edwards, J.D., Ph.D. His innovative approach to analyzing trials is detailed in a trio of law review articles: A Scientific Framework for Analyzing the Harmfulness of Trial Errors, 8 UCLA Criminal Justice Law Review 1 (2024); If the Jury Only Knew: The Effect of Omitted Mitigation Evidence on the Probability of a Death Sentence, 32 Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law. (forthcoming Spring 2025); and Measuring Fairness, 77 Alabama Law Review (forthcoming Fall 2025). Using advanced survey methods and statistical models, Fair Trial Analysis provides actionable insights that assist legal teams in crafting strategies based on empirical data.

Barry C. Edwards, J.D., Ph.D., is an expert in the intersection of law, politics, and statistical analysis, with a distinguished career in both academia and legal practice. A proud Stanford University graduate, Dr. Edwards holds a law degree from New York University School of Law and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Georgia, where he focused on American politics and statistical methods. His academic research, which includes groundbreaking work on the behavior of courts, legislative decision-making, and voting patterns, has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Politics, Presidential Studies Quarterly, and State Politics & Policy Quarterly. His legal background includes years of litigation experience, where he secured substantial settlements for clients in wrongful death and commercial litigation cases. Additionally, he served as Director of the Center for Legal Solutions, coordinating mediation and arbitration for legal disputes. He has also served as an expert witness in major legal cases, further demonstrating his deep understanding of the legal system.

Whether you are preparing for a high-stakes trial or seeking to refine your litigation strategy, Fair Trial Analysis offers unparalleled expertise in jury analysis, helping you estimate verdict probabilities and make data-driven decisions to improve case outcomes.