How to Get Jurors to Obey the Judge’s Instructions
We are a nation hopelessly addicted to a constant flow of information, from the important to the trivial, continuously streamed to us... Read More
From Prosecutor to Defender: Benny Switches Sides on “Bull”
Justice delayed is far from ideal, but it’s better than life behind bars. This column is supposed to address the realities and... Read More
Fanciful Technology Aside, Bull Gives Realistic Portrayal of Voir Dire Seed-Planting
Pinch me. The voir dire questioning in this week’s episode of “Bull” was actually something I can sink my teeth into. At... Read More
Finding Scrooge: Trial-Tested Tips for Seating a Defense-Friendly Jury
The holidays are a wonderful time of generosity, when we open our hearts and wallets to those we love, and sometimes, complete... Read More
4 More Myths About Juries
My recent post, Is There a Perception Problem with the American Jury System?, busted the most common myth about jury duty: that everybody... Read More
Learning About Your Jury from Facebook Likes
If you’re a trial lawyer preparing for jury selection, it’s likely that the majority of your potential jurors will have a Facebook... Read More
Don’t You… Forget About Me (During Voir Dire)
As much as I hate to admit this, I have a confession to make: When I received a jury summons in the... Read More
Finding Jurors with Limited English Proficiency During Jury Selection
A new appellate opinion in Texas raises an important issue for jury selection: observe your panel carefully to identify jurors who may not have... Read More
Jury Selection and Reality TV: The Need for Acceptance
My old boss use to say, “The #1 fear is rejection, and the #1 need is acceptance.” Makes perfect sense, and I... Read More
Fifty Shades of Zumba: Jury selection in a prostitution trial
What do a local gym, Zumba, and prostitution have in common? Apparently, a lot. The names Mark Strong, Sr. and Alexis Wright... Read More