Section 8 Voir Dire

• Library: Condemnation Practice 2009

Voir dire is often counsels’ most important contact with the jury. Counsel should make the most of this opportunity. Not only should counsel identify jurors who may potentially be prejudiced, counsel should begin educating the jurors on their role and the issues in the trial. Unlike other civil suits, in condemnation actions the defendant goes first. MAI 9.03 [2008 New]. Counsel are cautioned that appeals to the jurors’ pocketbooks, references that a verdict for the defendants may impose a greater obligation on taxpayers, or indications that a verdict for the defendants will cause taxes to go up will warrant a mistrial or a new trial. City...