Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Behavioral Insights in Legal Policymaking: Emphasizing the Use of “Nudges” in the Criminal Justice System

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Amirkia Ameri Sani 1
Arman Alihadi 2
1 PhD in Criminal Law and Criminology, Tehran University, Faculty of Law & Political Science, Tehran, Iran
2 Masters Student in Criminal Law & Criminology, Tehran University, Faculty of Law & Political Science, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jclc.2025.2062934.1202
Abstract
In recent years, Nudge Theory, as one of the key contributions of behavioral economics, has gained increasing attention in the realm of public policy. Nudges, as tools derived from behavioral insights, rely on the premise that Rational Choice Theory does not provide a reliable foundation for designing policy solutions, as human choices are susceptible to cognitive biases. Functioning as strategies for behavioral change, nudges can serve as suitable alternatives to traditional legal sanctions—including criminal penalties—or, at the very least, play a complementary role alongside these traditional mechanisms to resolve issues. However, the applications of nudges in legal policymaking, particularly within Iran, have not been studied as thoroughly as they warrant. Employing a qualitative method and a descriptive-analytical approach, this research seeks to answer the question: What capacities and functions does Nudge Theory hold for legal policymaking in general, and criminal justice policymaking in particular? To address this, the study presents and explains real-world examples of nudge application in legal policies, with an emphasis on criminal justice policies (criminal procedure, crime control, and prevention), and highlights certain existing grounds within Iranian criminal policymaking for their implementation. The findings indicate that, despite some significant criticisms regarding their legitimacy, nudges can be effectively utilized as simple and cost-efficient tools at various levels of the criminal justice system—including criminal procedure and crime prevention—without purporting to replace fundamental policymaking aimed at solving the root causes of justice system issues. This capability, achieved through the redesign of decision-making structures and the utilization of cognitive shortcuts, enables the enhancement of criminal justice policy efficiency. The application of nudges in any legal system is conditional upon observing considerations that guarantee their legitimacy in accordance with the specific characteristics of the implementing legal system.
Keywords
: Legal Policymaking
Criminal Policymaking
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral Insights
Cognitive Biases
Nudge

Subjects

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Research and development in criminal law and criminology
Volume 2, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
March 2026
Pages 390-429