GM. Is there any significance to the jury’s gender make-up in regards to verdicts? Wondering if any of the jurors know the families involved. Is it allowed to sit as juror with an established ‘relationship’ to family memebers on either side? TIA
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I did find a couple of articles in which those topics are addressed broadly (I’m sorry: I wasn’t able to find relevant statutes of New Jersey):
“Failing to answer a jury summons is a crime, and ‘getting out of jury duty’ is not an easy matter.
Yet all courts provide for the questioning of potential jurors to expose reasons why the individual might not make an ideal juror—one who can be impartial and fair. To that end, lawyers and the judge question each would-be juror, looking for evidence of impermissible bias. When such bias is uncovered, the individual will be excused ‘for cause,’ which means that the lawyer making the challenge can articulate to the judge an acceptable reason for rejecting that person.
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Once the venire [potential jurors] has entered the courtroom, the questioning begins (in some courthouses, the judge conducts all of it; and in some places, lawyers are restricted to written questions only). The questions are designed to elicit bias and predisposition. ‘For cause’ requests for a dismissal will be granted by the judge if the potential juror reveals evidence of the following:
- Personal knowledge about a party to the case or someone connected to the case. Here, the problem is that the venireperson’s relationship might cloud his or her ability to view the evidence impartially. For example, the prosecutor’s next-door neighbor would ordinarily be excused for cause, as would someone related to a key witness.
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While the prosecution and defense have an unlimited number of ‘for cause’ challenges, each side also has a set number of “no cause” challenges. These are known as peremptory challenges, which are ways to get rid of jurors who present no obvious evidence of bias or unsuitability.
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Although lawyers don’t have to give a reason for using a peremptory,
they may not use them in order to rid the jury of people of a certain race, religion, gender, or other protected status. If a pattern begins to emerge—the prosecutor excuses every Black juror but no White members—the judge will intervene. On the other hand, it’s perfectly okay to act on a hunch as to the ‘real motives’ of the person hoping to be a member of the jury (as long as that hunch isn’t based on that person’s protected status).” (BBM)
Much more at the link:
Permissible Reasons for Rejecting Jurors in Criminal Trials - Lawyers.com
“Lawyers and judges select juries by a process known as ’voir dire,’ which is Latin for ‘to speak the truth.’ In voir dire, the judge and attorneys for both sides ask potential jurors questions to determine if they are competent and suitable to serve in the case.
Errors during jury selection are common grounds for appeal in criminal cases.
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Challenges for cause are made when voir dire reveals that a juror is not qualified, able, or fit to serve in a particular case. Lawyers generally have an unlimited number of ‘for cause’ challenges available.
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Implied Bias. Implied bias is present when potential jurors have character traits or personal experiences that make it unlikely for them to be able to be impartial, regardless of what they say during voir dire. So,
a juror who is a close friend or relative of a key party, a witness, the judge, or an attorney for either side will be dismissed for cause.
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In the process known as striking a jury,’ the prosecution and defense take turns arguing their challenges for cause. If the judge grants a challenge, the juror will be struck from the jury panel. Once there are no more viable challenges for cause, the sides alternate in striking jurors via peremptory challenges until thoseare exhausted or each side is satisfied with the jury panel.
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Once the challenges are completed and there are enough jurors for a proper jury, the judge will place the remaining jurors in the jury box.
If the attorneys have any challenges to the demographic composition of the jury (claims that the other side used peremptory strikes to eliminate jurors on the basis of race, ethnicity, or gender), they must assert them at this time. Then, the jurors are sworn in, which ends jury selection and begins the next stage of the trial process.” (BBM)
Much more at the link:
Jury Selection in Criminal Cases