NCJ Number
82514
Date Published
1981
Length
735 pages
Annotation
This text is designed to teach principles of effective advocacy, with a special focus on jury selection.
Abstract
Voir dire techniques and general advocacy principles are explained, with emphasis on evaluating prospective jurors, structuring the voir dire examination, the whole trial concept, specific issues (liability, damages), developing challenge for cause, and the psychology of a case. A chapter on the law of jury selection considers procedure in State and Federal courts, challenges for cause, peremptory challenges, and demonstrative evidence. Specific cases are used to demonstrate effective jury selection techniques. These cases involved a transport chemical truck accident that caused serious injuries, minor trespassing electrocution injuries incurred in climbing a telephone pole, medical malpractice in the wrongful death of a husband, and a road design defect case. Other cases examined concerned a bad faith case against an insurance carrier for failure to settle claim for policy limits, whiplash injuries, and a products liability case. Model questions are discussed relating to juror's background and relationship to the case; strategy is described; and liability is examined in reference to general cases, medical malpractice cases, and products liability. Damages are considered in the concluding section. Notes are included.