Jury selection: the juror elimination approach

• Pages: 191-242
• Author: Jonathan Dichter

JURY SELECTION: JUROR

ELIMINATION APPROACH

2A-1

CHAPTER 2A

JURY SELECTION:

THE JUROR ELIMINATION APPROACH

The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of trial consultant Rich Matthews in the writing and updating of

this chapter. Rich can be reached by email at Rich@Juryology.com. He writes a valuable and entertaining blog on

jury persuasion at www.Juryology.com.

I. PURPOSE OF VOIR DIRE

§2A:01 Exposing Juror Bias

§2A:01.1 Eliciting the Key Words

§2A:01.2 Modern Sources to Reveal Bias

§2A:02 Limits on Time and Scope

§2A:02.1 Whose 20 Minutes Is It?

§2A:02.2 Mini Opening Statement Before Questioning

§2A:03 Uncovering Juror Personality Types and Finding Leaders

§2A:04 “Pre-Rehabilitation”

II. WHAT KIND OF JUROR DO YOU WANT?

A. Ideal Juror Depends on Theory of Case

§2A:10 Importance of Theory of Case

§2A:11 Improperly Conducted Breath Test

§2A:12 Disconnect Cases

§2A:13 Bad SFST Performance

§2A:14 Rising Alcohol Cases

§2A:15 Refusal Cases

§2A:16 Drug Cases

B. Jurors Usually Best to Avoid

§2A:30 Prospective Jurors With Strong Anti-Alcohol Positions

§2A:31 Prospective Jurors With Prior DUI Charges

§2A:32 Truckers and Other High Mileage Drivers

§2A:33 Avoid Uniforms

III. SAMPLE VOIR DIRE QUESTIONS

§2A:40 How to Use These Questions

§2A:41 Questions Regarding Relationship to Defendant, Witnesses, Law Enforcement

§2A:42 Questions Related to Police Officers

§2A:43 Questions Related to Punishment

§2A:44 Questions Related to Scientific Evidence

§2A:45 Questions Related to Expert Opinion

JURY SELECTION: JUROR

ELIMINATION APPROACH

Innovative DUI Trial Tools 2A-2

§2A:46 Questions Related to Blood Analysis

§2A:47 Questions Regarding Constitutional Issues

§2A:48 [Reserved]

§2A:49 Questions Related to Physical Characteristics of Intoxicated Persons

§2A:50 Questions Regarding Memory

§2A:51 Questions Regarding Odor of Alcohol

§2A:52 Questions Regarding Nervousness

§2A:53 Questions Regarding Intoxication

§2A:54 Questions Related to Bodily Functions

§2A:55 Questions Related to Offense of DUI

§2A:56 Questions Related to Alcohol

§2A:57 Staircase Metaphor

IV. JURY QUESTIONNAIRES

§2A:70 The Benefits of the Supplemental Juror Questionnaire

§2A:71 Procedure for Using

§2A:72 Analyzing the Results: Why a Shorter SJQ Is Better

§2A:73 SJQ Format

§2A:74 Juror Spreadsheet

§2A:75 Sample Jury Questionnaire

§2A:76 Looping

§2A:77 How Did the Defendant Get Here?

V. SLIDES AND SCORECARD TO USE WHEN VOIR DIRE IS LIMITED

§2A:80 How to Use

§2A:81 Sample Slides

§2A:82 More Sample Slides

§2A:83 Slides Regarding Prior Convictions

VI. REFRAMING

§2A:90 Background

§2A:91 No More Common Sense

§2A:92 Silence Is the Only Choice

§2A:93 Presumption of Innocence

§2A:94 Burden of Proof

§2A:95 Fair Trial

DIGITAL ACCESS

2A-75 Sample Jur y Questionnaire

Fig 2-01 Personality Types

Fig 2-02 Staircase of Proof in Voir Dire

Fig 2-03 Staircase of Proof - Question 1

Fig 2-04 Staircase of Proof - Question 2

Fig 2-05 Staircase of Proof - Question 3

Fig 2-06 Staircase of Proof - Question 4

Fig 2-07 Staircase of Proof - Question 5

Fig 2-08 Staircase of Proof - Reasonable Suspicion

Fig 2-09 Staircase of Proof - Probable Cause

Fig 2-10 Staircase of Proof - Preponderance of Evidence

Fig 2-11 Staircase of Proof - Clear and Convincing

Fig 2-12 Staircase of Proof - Reasonable Doubt

Fig 2-13 Burden of Proof

Fig 2-14 Guilt Based on Being Charged

Fig 2-15 Guilt Based on Chemical Tests

JURY SELECTION: JUROR

ELIMINATION APPROACH

2A-3 Jury Selection: the Juror Elimination Approach

Fig 2-16 Guilt Based on Defendant Not Testifying

Fig 2-17 Trustworthiness of Chem Evidence

Fig 2-18 Trustworthiness of Officer’s Opinion

Fig 2-19 Guilt Based on Two Drinks

Fig 2-20 Better to Free Guilty than Convict Innocent

Fig 2-21 FSTs and Ability to Drive Car

Fig 2-22 FSTs and Ability to Judge Blood Alcohol

Fig 2-23 Multiple Charges

Fig 2-24 Fifth Amendment I

Fig 2-25 Fifth Amendment II

Fig 2-26 Driving Issues I

Fig 2-27 Driving Issues II

Fig 2-28 Charging

Fig 2-29 Scientific Procedures

Fig 2-30 Investigative Procedures

Fig 2-31 Impairment

Fig 2-32 Medical Issues I

Fig 2-33 Medical Issues II

Fig 2-34 Medical Issues III

Fig 2-35 Police Credibility

Fig 2-36 Burden of Proof

Fig 2-37 Condone Drinking and Driving

Fig 2-38 Background

Fig 2-39 Background

Fig 2-40 Background

Fig 2-41 Background