Jury
A jury is an integral part of the judicial process that allows citizens to enforce legal guidelines and partake in the administration of justice. A jury’s resolution in a case results from a meticulous examination of the evidence, testimony and the law. It also represents a cross-section of the community lending legitimacy to our democratic process.
During voir dire it is important to listen to panelists as much as question them. Listen to how they interact with one another as these relationships will continue through the week of trial. It is also important to observe the panelists’ behavior and appearance as this will help you in evaluating how they may perceive your clients, witnesses and the events surrounding the case. For example, if a panelist is displaying a radical appearance (such as a long hairstyle or tattoos) it may indicate that they pride themselves on being different and are unlikely to follow the norm. On the other hand, if a panelist is reading benign material such as a newspaper or paperbacks it suggests that they are open to differing viewpoints and have an analytical mind.
During the course of trial each juror will take an oath or affirmation to consider only what has been presented in the court and that they will not let their own prejudices affect their verdict. In addition, each juror must remain open minded during the testimony and if they become convinced that the evidence does not support a particular outcome, they cannot discuss the case with others outside of the jury room.