Methods of Manipulative Influence in the Judicial Defensive Speech of F. N. Plevako in the Case of P. Kachka

Abstract

This article presents a psychological analysis of F. N. Plevako’s speech in the case of Praskovya Kachka, which resulted in both the identification of “conscientious” speech techniques (appeal to the values of the jury and the defendants, the formation of value judgments regarding the aspects of the trial that are important for the lawyer), and manipulative methods that affect the subconscious (gaslighting, projection, shame manipulation and substitution of concepts). The expressive means of judicial speech, especially the metaphors used by the defense counsel, increased the manipulative impact on the participants in the court session. The manipulative influence was carried out by F. N. Plevako according to the scheme: the defender — the audience of the court session, super-motivated by the result of the defense speech — the jury. Only the defender’s subjective perception of the norms of professional ethics of a lawyer determined the conscientiousness, correctness and appropriateness of the methods of manipulative influence used, while these aspects had no direct connection with the actual circumstances of the case.