Here are a couple links you may find interesting: Steve Landsburg opines on reasonable doubt and gwern cites a Bayesian approach to meting out justice. (Mmm, justice...my favorite kind of mete.)

I wonder which has a more adverse effect on trial outcomes, cognitive limitations or poor incentives. This post seems to address the former.

I object to the title. It's a sloppy use of the term "rational." I suggest "improved" or a synonym.