The studies examine the role of hot cognitions alongside cold cognitive appraisal within the framework of coherence-based reasoning. In two simulated legal cases we find that emotions towards the suspect and motivation with respect to the outcome of the case are strongly correlated with the cognitive appraisal of the facts of the case, the judged credibility of the witnesses, and the overall judgment of the suspect’s blame. Moreover, emotion and motivation partially mediate the effect of experimental manipulations on decisions.