27 Jul The Role Of The Jury Is Changing — For Better And For Worse
In a criminal case, the jury is supposed to be a fact-finder. But as more and more jurors ask questions, the role of the jury is changing.
Jury Selection Tag
10 May How Racial Discrimination Shapes Jury Selection
People of color continue to be excluded from jury service because of their race. This trend dates back for decades. This is especially true in serious felony trials and death penalty cases.
29 Dec Is a “Tone of Voice” Jury Challenge Race-Neutral?
Defendants in criminal cases have a constitutional right to a jury of their peers. But courts have made it clear that they don't have the right to a jury of their own race. So, when a prosecutor strikes a juror for their “tone of voice,”
29 Dec “The Issue of the Sleeping Juror” Hits North Carolina
The constitutional right to a jury trial comes from the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It states that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury….” But what happens when a juror
29 Dec Wrong Juror Convicts Defendant in North Carolina
The chance of a “perfect trial” is slim to none. Whether it’s a sleeping juror, a lack of record or something else, anything close to a perfect trial is hard to come by. And that’s true even when the wrong juror convicts you.
29 Dec It’s Not Hard: We need to Record Jury Selection
Everyone knows the court reporter’s purpose: they record what happens in court. Then, when an issue occurs down the road, everyone can return to that record. Yet some states don’t require a record of jury selection.