Don’t Lose Because of Jury Selection

LOSING TRIALS? YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF JURY SELECTION COULD BE TO BLAME

 Jury selection is a critical part of any jury trial. It is the process by which the judge and attorneys select the jurors who will hear the case, decide the facts, and render a verdict. The jury selection process is important for several reasons, and it can have the single greatest impact on the outcome of a trial. In this blog post, we will discuss why jury selection is so important in a jury trial.

BUILDING A CONNECTION WITH THE JURY 

Jury selection is one of the only opportunities for the attorney to build a personal connection with the jurors by being able to directly communicate with them. At any other part of the trial you are not allowed to communicate with jurors directly; however, in jury selection not only do you get to ask them questions you get to build a personal rapport with them.

During jury selection, the attorneys can introduce themselves to the jurors and explain their case in a simple and straightforward manner. This can help the jurors understand the attorneys' arguments and make it easier for them to follow the trial. Additionally, building a connection with the jurors can help the attorneys establish credibility and trust with the jury.

ENSURING AN IMPARTIAL JURY

The most important reason for jury selection is to ensure that the jury is impartial. An impartial jury is a fundamental right that is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. It means that the jurors are unbiased and have no preconceived notions or prejudices that could affect their ability to make a fair and impartial decision. During jury selection, the attorneys and the judge ask potential jurors questions to determine their biases, beliefs, and experiences that may impact their ability to be fair and impartial. If a juror is found to have biases that may affect their ability to be impartial, they may be excused from the jury panel. However, you need to ask these questions in a way that the juror doesn’t realize you are honing in on their ability to be fair/impartial. Failure to do so could result in the juror locking up and saying “all the right things” to stay on the panel.

JURY SELECTION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT

In conclusion, jury selection is a critical part of any jury trial. It ensures an impartial jury, selects jurors with relevant experience and knowledge, builds a connection with the jury, and avoids bias and prejudice. The success of a trial often depends on the quality of the jury selection process. Therefore, it is essential for attorneys to take jury selection seriously and approach it with careful consideration and preparation.

LEARN FROM JOHN TOLLEY

John Tolley is a former Prosecutor & Insurance Defense lawyer licensed in the States of New York, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Tolley has tried over 45 criminal and civil jury trials. He has been recognized for his excellence in trial by multiple organizations including the National Order of the barristers, Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers.