NCJ Number
99805
Date Published
1984
Length
1438 pages
Annotation
This two-volume work provides practical guidance in jury selection procedures, including methods for ensuring a jury of the defendant's peers, preparing for and conducting the voir dire, and developing jury law.
Abstract
After discussing the centrality of juries in American jurisprudence and the importance of selection methods in determining jury constituency, the first volume reviews the cases and source materials used to develop the proposed jury selection principles. The first jury selection steps considered are analyzing the facts and forum, conducting surveys, and constructing juror profiles. Issues pertaining to the seeking of a jury of the defendant's peers are then addressed. Relevant steps reviewed are challenges to jury lists and motions for change of venue or dismissal. Guidelines on preparing for voir dire encompass jury selection procedures, basic questions, and questions in both civil and criminal cases. Chapters on preparing for trial cover the use of juror questionnaires, the investigation of the jury panel, and approaches to jury selection. Examples of the conduct of voir dire focus on extensive/intensive questioning and preparing for challenges in both civil and criminal cases. A review of the theory and practice of selecting jurors considers the sociology of jury selection as well as exercising and attacking peremptory challenges. Also discussed are opening and closing arguments, seeking the community conscience, raising jury issues on appeal, upholding the constitutional right to jury trial, and lobbying on jury issues. Tables are presented for forms, statutes and rules, and cases. A subject index is provided.