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Category: Jury

STUDIES ABOUT HOW JURIES DECIDE CASES

STUDIES ABOUT HOW JURIES DECIDE CASES

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The American Bar Foundation published an article about a study done in Arizona in which 50 actual civil jury deliberations were videotaped and studied. About half of the cases involved motor vehicle collisions, about 1/3 were general tort cases and the remainder were medical malpractice disputes. The awards ranged from $1000 to $2.8 million dollars. The study began by noting that jurors are in an unfamiliar place. They are doing with people who speak and unfamiliar language. They are called…

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BASIC THOUGHTS ABOUT JURY SELECTION

BASIC THOUGHTS ABOUT JURY SELECTION

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Jury selection is an art that requires preparation and careful planning. Jury selection and opening statement can have a profound influence on the outcome of the case. They are twin events that should be prepared as a unit. Here some very general and basic ideas to consider in planning your voir dire of your case. . PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS . *Jury selection is almost always limited in time. It’s important to plan your questions with the time allowed in mind. Determine…

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THE RIGHT TO A CONSTITUTIONAL JURY WHEN ALLOWING JURORS WITH ACTUAL BIAS TO SERVE ON THE JURY

THE RIGHT TO A CONSTITUTIONAL JURY WHEN ALLOWING JURORS WITH ACTUAL BIAS TO SERVE ON THE JURY

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I published an article in the May 2019 edition of NW Lawyer, our state bar publication, about our statutes which allow a juror with actual bias to serve on the jury. The title is “Washington Law On Jury Challenges for Bias Undermines Litigants Constitutional Right to An Impartial Jury.” The article can be read at http://nwlawyer.wsba.org/nwlawyer/may_2019?pg=34#pg34 Many states have similar provisions to Washington in that regard. Our statute, RCW 4.44.190 says: “A challenge for actual bias may be taken for…

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