PERSPECTIVES ON VOIR DIRE
SACDLA
OFFICERS
Trisha Morales Padia
President
Amanda I. Hernandez
Vice President
Andrew Froelich
Secretary
HOME RUNS!
Dayna Jones
Treasurer
Esparza
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTS
Matthew Allen
Roland Garcia
John Hunter
Joseph Esparza
Loraine Efron
Don Flanary
Michael McCrum
Patricia Jay
Warren Wolf
Robert Featherston
Jorge Aristotelidis
Jay Norton
Michael Gross
Jeff Mulliner
John “Bud” Ritenour
Adam Kobs
George Taylor
Stephanie Stevens
Zoe Russell
Executive Director
Jim Greenfeld
Michael S. Raign
John A. Convery
Ernest Acevedo, III
Ronald P. Guyer
Mark Stevens
George Scharmen
Cynthia Hujar-Orr
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rolando Arguelles
Jim Beethke
Mac Bozza
Anne Burnham
Jonathan Chavez
Karen Corby
Daniel De La Garza
Andrew Froelich
Arlene Gay
Steven Gilmore
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Charles Butts
Jessica Gonzalez
Valerie Hedlund
Amanda Hernandez
Dayna Jones
Staci Krause
Guillermo Lara
Pat Montgomery
Angela Moore
Bryan Orihel
Adam Paltz
Mary Pietrazek
Molly Roth
Elizabeth Russell
Zoe Russell
Shawn Sareen
Christian Vega
Meenu Walters
Alex Scharff
Anthony Nicholas
If you would like to submit an article to be considered for publication in The Defender, or see about how you can help or become involved with and contribute as an Associate Editor, please email daniel@delagarzacriminaldefense.com
Joseph
PERSPECTIVES ON
09-MatthewAllen
10-RolandoArguelles
11-JorgeAristotelidis
11-BobbyBarrera
13-BernieCampion
14-Jonathan"Chavy"Chavez
17-CathyCompton
17-KarenCorby
20-MarioDelPrado
21-JohnEconomidy
22-LoraineEfron
23-JosephEsparza
28-AndrewFroelich
29-RolandGarcia
30-ArleneGay
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, DEFENDER
DanielDeLaGarza
DESIGNER, DEFENDER DanielDeLaGarza TrishaMoralesPadia
JayDouglasRumisek
JayRumisek@gmail.com
31-StevenGilmore 32-JessicaGonzalez 33-JasonGoss
35-MichaelC.Gross
37-AlbertM.Gutierrez
38-PatrickHancock
39-AmandaHernandez
41-JoeHoelscher
44-JohnHunter
49-TonyJiminezIII& CatherineValenzuela
50-AdamKobs
51-SamLock
52-RaymondMartinez
54-BryanOrihel
55-TrishaMoralesPadilla
56-AdamPaltz
57-BrianPowers
60-BudRitenour
61-MollyRoth
61-ElizabethRussell
61-AlexScharff
63-MarkStevens
65-StephanieStevens
66-RobinTeague
67-RobertA.Valdez
68-ChristianVega
69-MeenuWalters
70-JonathanWatkins
71-DavidWoodard
DaynaJones
ZaceryMunoz
JasminOlguin
StephanieStevens
PHOTO CREDITS
DEFENDER
Letter From the President
Trisha Morales Padia
Dear Colleagues,
Asthesummerseasoncomestoanendover SanAntonio,Ihopethismessagefindsyouall ingoodspiritsandhavingenjoyedsomewelldeserved rest and relaxation. It’s a time for family,friends,andreflection—amomentto rechargeourenergiesforthechallengingyet rewardingworkwedoeveryday.AsthepresidentoftheSanAntonioCriminalDefense Lawyers Association (SACDLA), I want to takethisopportunitytotouchbase,reflecton ourjourney,andsharesomecurrenttrendsin ourfield.
Thelegallandscapeiscontinuouslyevolving, andstayingaheadofthecurveiscrucialforall ofus.Oneofthesignificanttrendswe'veobservedistheincreasinguseoftechnologyin criminal defense. From electronic evidence presentationtovirtualcourtrooms,thedigital revolutionhasmadeitsmarkonourprofession.Embracingthesetechnologicaladvancementsnotonlyenhancesourefficiencybut
alsoprovidesuswithnewtoolstoadvocate moreeffectivelyforourclients.Iencourage youalltostayupdatedonthelatesttechtrends andconsiderintegratingthemintoyourpracticewherefeasible.
Another trend is the growing emphasis on mental health within the legal community. Thepressuresofourprofessionareimmense, andit’scrucialtoprioritizeourwell-being. SACDLAiscommittedtosupportingmental healthinitiativesandprovidingresourcesto helpourmembersmanagestressandmaintain ahealthywork-lifebalance.Letusremember thattakingcareofourselvesisnotaluxurybut anecessity,ensuringweremainatourbestfor thosewhodependonus.
Thelegalprofessionisalsoseeingashifttowardsgreatercollaborationandnetworking. Ourassociationstandsasatestamenttothe powerofunity.Weareadiversegroupof
professionals,eachbringinguniqueskillsand perspectivestothetable.Thisdiversityisour strength.Itallowsustosupportoneanother, shareknowledge,andcollectivelyovercome thechallengesweface.Iurgeyoualltoactivelyparticipateinourevents,engageinour forums,andreachoutwhenyouneedassistance. Together, we form a robust support systemthatcanweatheranystorm.
Inthesetimesofchange,ourroleascriminal defenselawyersremainsasvitalasever.We aretheguardiansofjustice,ensuringthateveryindividual’srightsareprotectedandthat theprinciplesoffairnessanddueprocessare upheld.Itisnotaneasytask,butitisanoble one.Thecaseswehandle,theclientswerepresent,andthebattleswefightareallpartofa largermissiontomaintaintheintegrityofour legalsystem.
As we continue to navigate through these dynamictimes,letuskeepinmindthatweare
not alone. Being part of SACDLA means havinganetworkofcolleagueswhoareready tolendahand,offeradvice,andstandbyyour side.Thiscamaraderieiswhatmakesourassociationspecialandourworkalittleeasier.
Iwanttoextendmyheartfeltthankstoeach ofyouforyourdedicationandhardwork. Yourcommitmenttojusticeandyourrelentlesspursuitoftruthmakeasignificantimpact onourcommunity.Aswemoveforward,let us continue to fight the good fight with renewedvigorandasenseofunity.
Enjoytherestofyoursummer,takecareof yourselves,andrememberthattogether,we arestronger.
Warmregards,
Trisha Morales Padia SACDLA President
2024 SACDLA Committee Chairs
MAC JimBethke
CLE Committee
ShawnSareen
Monthly CLEs
ShawnSareen
Fiesta CLE
JohnConvery/MarkStevens
Brady Bunch
JohnHunter/ZoeRussell
Awards Committee
RolandGarcia
Membership Committee
ArleneGay
Social Committee/ Holiday Party
RolandoArguelles
Technology Committee
StaciKrause
Letter From the Editor
Daniel De La Garza
Members,
Withthedogdaysofsummerbehindus,I hopeeveryonetooksometimeoffandisready togetbacktowork.Inthisissueweattempt todemystifythevoirdireprocessbypublishingthetoptenvoirdiretipssubmittedby some of the best lawyers in town. Mark Stevens has also provided an introduction withsomebackgroundonhowtheideafor thisissueoriginated.Mybestadvicetosomeoneconductingavoirdireistobeyourself andfocusontheissue–orissues–inyourcase. Youcanthenreferbacktothoseissuesduring thetrialandyourclosingargument.Doing this,inmyexperience,hasledtocredibilityin frontofthejuryandsuccessformyclients.
Topicsforfutureissueswe’reconsideringincludegrandjurypackets,motionstodismiss,
illegalsearchandseizure,andfederalmotion practice.Pleasereachoutifyouhaveanidea forafutureissueandasalways,pleaserememberweareconstantlyonthelookoutforhighqualityarticlesonanytopicrelatedcriminal defense.Please,emailyourarticleto daniel@delagarzacriminaldefense.com
to contribute. It doesn’t have to be edited; we’lldothatforyou.
Daniel De La Garza Editor-in-Chief The Defender
The San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Associa�on
P.O. Box 831206
San Antonio, Texas 78283-1206
Telephone: (210) 501-2916
Facsimile: (210) 885-7714
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
*NAME: Mr. Mrs. Dr. Professor Other First Name Last Name MI
MAILING ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________ Street Address/Suite Nbr./PO Box City State ZIP County
TELEPHONE: ___________________________ FAX: _________________________________________
*EMAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________
*TEXAS BAR CARD NO.: DATE OF BIRTH: ________________________
Certified Criminal Law Specialist? YES NO
MemberofTCDLA? YES NO NACDL? YES NO
Do you want a Membership Certificate? YES NO
CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP: Contributing ($150 per year) St. Mary’s Law Student / First Year Lawyer ($30) Regular ($75 per year) St. Mary’s Crim. Law Assn. ($0, Volunteer 5 hours)
(Attorneys:) I am a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas. I am actively engaged in the defense of criminal cases in the State, County or Municipal Courts in Bexar County or the surrounding contiguous Counties, or in the Federal Courts of the Western District of Texas. I do not hold a full time or elected Judicial or Prosecutorial Position.
*SIGNATURE: _____________________________________________
DATE: ________________
PLEASE MAIL APPLICATION TO: SACDLA, P.O. Box 831206, San Antonio, Texas 78283-1206
*Required Information (Bar Card No. not required for student membership application)
Manyskillsandtechniquesmust be used to successfully try a criminalcase.Whileunanimityonanysubjectisrareamongthe defensebar,alargenumberofusagree that selecting the right jury is the singlemostimportantthingwecando to ensure that our clients get the fair trial they deserve. In 2011, The Defender publishedanissuededicated to Voir Dire, and it was so well-
receivedthat,13yearslater,wedecided totryitagain.Wereachedouttomost ofthebestlawyersinSanAntonio,and more than 40 of you generously responded with tips about how best to pickjuries.Allareincludedinthe2024 VoirDireIssue.Wehopeyouwillread every contribution, and find value in themall.Icertainlydid.
- Mark Stevens
Matthew Allen
1Beyourself!It’sgoodtoborrow,orsteal,aslide orsomepointsfromotherattorneysbutmake thepresentationyourown.Ifyoutrytobesomeoneelse,thejurywillseethroughitandnotonly willyounotgetyourpointacross,youwillturn jurorsoffintheprocess.
2. Knowyourissues,includingwhatyou’ll bearguingfromthejurychargeandanypossible lesser-includedoffenses.Theearlieryoucanstart gettingthejuryeducatedandthinkingaboutthe thingsyouwanttoargue,thebetter.Youcanthen referencebacktoitinclosingargumentshowing themyouknewexactlywherethiscasewasgoing theentiretime.
3. Don’targue.Ifajurorhasadifferingviewpoint,embraceitanduseittofindothersyoucan challengeforcauseoratleastuseaperemptory strikeon.Withthatbeingsaid,we’veallhadthat onejurorwhowantstotalkorargueabouteverything.Getafeelfortheotherjurorsandifthey’re tiredofhearingfromthatpersonaswell,justsay, “I’llcomebacktoyou,”orifyou’refeelingbold,“I thinkweallknowhowyoufeelbutIappreciate yourparticipation.”
4. Embrace your fear factors. You should knowwhatyourtoughestfactsorissuesaregoing tobeatthispointandyouneedtotalkaboutthem. Getthejurydiscussingthemandpossiblereasonable explanations. If one guy has blood on his handsandtheotherguyhasaknifeinhishead, why would that be? You’ll be surprised when someonesays,“becausehedeservedit,”orthey
comeupwithsomethingsyoumightnothave even thought about. Those issues aren’t going awaysoyou’llhavetodealwiththemandthe sooner,thebetter.
5. Getapartner.Youneedsomeonetohelp takenotes,noticethereactionsofjurors,andtobe readyforchallengesforcause.Iusuallyhave3 sheetsgoingonatonce.Oneisforallnotes.The secondisforchallengesforcause.Thethirdisfor thingstofollow-upwithortowriteYESorNO, nexttothem.Also,it’snotabadideatowrite down descriptions of the jurors appearances to helpyourememberwhoeachis.
6. Don’twastetimeforthingsthatwon’tbe issues.Iftheissueisself-defense,thendon’twaste timetalkingaboutintentionallyandknowingly. Iftheissueisoperationofamotorvehicleandyou aregoingtoconcedeintoxication,don’twastetoo muchtimeonit.Iunderstandgettingjurorsopinionsonthingstomakegooduseofchallengesbut let the prosecutor waste time on elements like mensreaandBexarCountyifthosearenotgoing tobecontestedinyourcase.
7. Make jurors commit! I’m not talking about typical objectionable commitment questionsbut,“Idon’tknow=NotGuilty.”Make themallsayit.Makethemcommittoit.Askthem why that is the truth. Keep hammering those typesofpoints.Theninclosing,sayitagainand remindthemtheoaththeytookandthat,“Idon’t knowisokay,butthatmeansNotGuilty.”
8. Whenyouassume,youmightmakeanass outofyourself.We’vealldoneitwhereweidentifiedwhatwethinkisagreatjurorforussowe leavethemalone.Then,theStatecalledthemand askedthemandsureenough,theywereproprosecution.OrI’vedoneitviceversa.Someattorneys mightdisagree,butIwouldratherknowtheyare onmysidethantakingaguess,soI’llaskthat additionalquestion.
9. Trytoconnectwiththejury.Tellthema storyoraboutyourselforrelatethingstotheSpurs
VorCowboysoraTVshow.Jurorsdon’tjustwant tohearlegaldefinitions.
10. Realizeyou’llneverbeperfectbutalways gothroughyourpowerpointandtailorittoeach case.Goodluck!
Rolando Arguelles
OIRDIRE,forsomeattorneys,canbeconsideredthemostcrucialpartofaTrial.Asan attorneyit’stheopportunitytoconnectwithjurorsandgetafeeloftheirdifferentthoughts/opinions on certain topics that might be helpful or detrimentaltoyourclient.Fortheprospectivejurorsit’sthefirstofmanythingsforsome,thefirst timetheysetfootinacourtroom,seeajudge,a prosecutor,adefendant,butmostimportantlythe firsttimetheyseeyou.
Itcomesasnosurprisethatmostattorneysdress wellforCourtbecauseit’sarequirementforusto doso,butitismyexperiencethatjurorspaymore attentionwhenyougotheextramile.Whatdoes thatmean?Socialperceptionistheconceptthat weashumansgivesustheabilitytomakeinterpretationsandinferencesaboutotherpeoplebased ontheirgeneralappearance,verbalandnonverbal patternsofcommunication.Inotherwordspeople gettreateddifferentlybasedonthewaywedress.
Weliveintheageofsocialmedia,fastfashion,and moretvseriesthanonecanwatchinalifetime. Partofthoseservicesshowaperceptionofthelegal world that is simply untrue. We see legal showslikeHowtoGetAwaywithMurderand Suits wheretheprotagonist,AnaliseKeating&
HarveySpector,alwayswincaseswithpiecesof evidencethatfallintotheirlaps,andtheydothis bywearingapicture-perfecttailoredoutfitsand looking flawlessly during arguments. These are the type of shows that prospective jurors are watchingandtheimpressionsthattheygetofthe criminal justice system. This is the type of “lawyers”thatwearemeasuredagainstwhenwe enter into Voir Dire, without ever uttering a word.
Howdowecompeteagainsttheseunrealisticexpectationsofthejusticesystem?Webeatthemat theirowngamebystylingitupalittlebit.Likea greatlawyeroncetoldme‘TheDevilisintheDetails.’Justhowwepayattentiontotheinsandouts ofeverysingleoneofourcasesbeforewestepfoot inthecourtreadytoargue.Weneedtodothe sametoourappearance,apressedshirt,combed hair,andpolishedshoesmakesuslookandsound moreastute.Wearewalkingadvertisementsfor ourclients,ourselves,andthepracticeoflaw.It hasbeenmypersonalexperienceafteratrial,when Igotalktojurors,theyhavecomplimentedmy advocacyjustbythewaytheylikedasuitthatI waswearing.Impressionsmattereverywherewe go.Especially,inanareaoflawthathasbeendramatizedandsexualizedbythemedia.
Jorge Aristotelidis
1Reviewtheprosecutor'sPowerPoint(orother visual)presentationaheadoftime,toavoidsurprises.Fileamotionforsuchpurposeinadvance oftrial,toproperlypreservetheissuewiththe Court.
2. Avoidconductingvoirdirebyyourself. Have someone help with the panel schematics, andifyoucan,haveathirdpersontoscopethe panelforreactions,facialorotherwise.Officestaff canhelpwiththelatter.
3. In victim-related cases, and when your theoryofthecasecallsforit,objecttotheprosecutors' reference to the complainant as victim, fromtheoutset.Amotioncanbehelpful.
4. Setthetonetoeducatethejuryaboutyour casewithyourquestions,withoutaskingthejury tocommittofactsaboutthecase.
5. PowerPointisahelpfultool,butdon't hidebehindit.YOUarethelawyeranditwillbe YOUwhoneedstostealtheshowwithyourjury panel. Develop a relationship with your panel fromtheoutset.
Presentation is Persuasion
6. Toouryoungerlawyers,donotsquirm, getdefensive,orscoldwhenyougetanegative responsefromaprospectivejuror.Useittoyour advantage by inquiring if anyone else feels the sameway,andeitherisolatetheprospectivejuror, orbuildalistofpossibleotherjurorstrikesfor cause.VoirDireisaboutgatheringinformation, plainandsimple.Themoreyouknow,thelesser thechanceofimpanelingabadjuror.
7. Do not challenge a juror for cause beforeapanel.Thismightcauseothersfromthe paneltohideandkeepfrombeinghonestabout theiranswers.Nobodywantstobethetargetof criticism.Prearrangeaprivate(i.e.atthebench) challengeforcauseprocessbeforejuryselection, so that you and the judge are insync.
8. Often times facial expressions and body languagesaymorethanwords.Don'tignorea prospective juror's negative vibe. It may spell doomifhe/shemakesyourpanel.
Bobby Barrera
Evenafteralltheseyearsinthecourtroom,Voir Direisalwaysthehardestpartofthetrialforme. Itisthemoststressfulaspectofthetrialasitisthe joinderofwhoIamandwhomyclientis,and whatwebothrepresenttoagroupofpeoplewho generallyaredreadingtheentireexperienceofa trial.Despiteour“presumptionofinnocence”I believe that our human nature questions innocencemorethanguilt.Wearetitillatedbycrime
andthemoregraphictheaccusationthemorewe believethepersonaccusedisguilty.Thatisthe hurdleofVoirDire.BelowareafewthoughtsI trytopracticeinmypresentationandtointerject intothemindofeachpanelmemberasIwantto givethemthestrengththeyneedtohangontoa NotGuiltyverdictwhentheygetbacktherein thejuryroom.
1. AstheStategoesfirst,theygenerallylike to“softenup”thepanelwithsomeattemptathu-
mororajokeorfunnylinetotryandgeteveryonerelaxedandengaged.Theyuseexamplesof thegunpuzzleortheStatueofLibertypuzzleto show how easy it is to “guess” a verdict even thoughyoudon’thaveallthepiecesofthe“puzzle”.Itellthejury,“THISISNOTAGAME SHOW.Thelawdoesnotallowyouto“guess” anything.TheStatehastheburdento“prove”by evidence “every element of the Indictment”. Thereisnothingfunnyaboutsittingwherethis man(myclient)issitting,wonderingwhetherhe isgoingtoprisonforanoffensehedidn’tcommit!”(addalittledramaforgoodmeasure!)
2. IgothroughthestatisticsfromtheInnocenceProject.Knowthem!(althoughIdon’thave themhere?)Texasleadsthenationinconvicting factuallyinnocentpeople.Themajorityofconvictionsarebasedupon“eyewitness”testimony wherethecomplainantsays“Iwillneverforgethis face!”andtheyweredeadwrong!ThisisespeciallyhelpfulwherethereisanissueofIDinyour casebuteventhen,generally,Iemphasizethatissueashowimportantitisintheevaluationofthe evidence.
3. TheStateALWAYSsays,“Wecan’tget intothemindoftheDefendant,butyoucaninfer someone’sstateofmindfromtheevidence.”Isay “Thejuryinstructions(Inevercallita‘charge’) don’tallowyouto“infer”anything.TheyREQUIREtheStatetoprovebeyondareasonable doubtexactlywhathisstateofmindwas.TheexampleIuseishomicide.ThestateofmindisNOT thepullingofthetrigger.Theaccused“intentionally”pulledthetriggerbutthatdoesn’tmeanhe “intentionally”killedthedeceased.Totallydifferentintent!ThefactthatapersonwasshotisNOT evidencethattheaccusedintendedthedeathto occurandyouCANNOT‘infer’thatfromtheevidence.Thedeathcouldhavebeenanaccident, committednegligently,orwithrecklessnessthat thedeathcouldoccur.Thepersonisnoless‘dead’ butthatisn’tevidenceof“intent”.
4. Ialwaysemphasizethatthejuryverdict mustbeunanimous.Everypersonhasanindependentthoughtprocessandwegenerallyhavepreconceptionsbaseduponwhoweareandourpersonal philosophies. I emphasize that “No instructionfromthisjudgecanmakeyouchange yourverdict!Shecanorderyoutodeliberatebut shecan’torderyoutochangeyourverdict.”In mosteverycase,ahungjuryisavictory.Itryto giveeachjurorthestrengthtohangontotheir opinionandnotcaveinjustbecauseitisaFriday afternoon.Isometimessay“Yourverdictneedsto bethekindthatwhenyouwakeuptomorrow morningandlookatyourselfinthemirror,you KNOW it was the right verdict. That is what proofbeyondareasonabledoubtmeans.”
5. Insexualassaultcases,especiallywithchildren,theissueofprobationisalwaysripeforjuror disqualification.(Besureyougetuptospeedon whichcharges,andorlesseroffenses,areprobationeligible.)Ialwaysaskthequestioninsome formorfashion,“Now,keepinginmindthatyou havejustfoundapersonguiltyof(trackthelanguageintheindictment),areyoutellingusthat youcouldstillconsiderputtingthatpersonon probation?” I emphasize that “consider” means morethanjustthinkingaboutit.Iusetheexample ofbungeejumpingoffabridgeovertheZambezi RiverinAfrica.I“considered”itbutIWOULD NEVERDOIT!Incasesofnoprobation,theissueoftheminimumpunishmentisalsoripefor exclusionandIusethesamequestionform.You areabletousethe“graphic”languageintheIndictmentinyourquestionform.Itisnotacommitmentquestionwhenyoudoso.TheIndictmentelementsarenot“facts”ofthecase,theyare theelementsoftheIndictmentsodon’tletthe Statearguethatyouaregettingintothefactsof thecaseasgenerally,theyhavepostedtheIndictmentontheirPowerPointpresentation.
6. Know Tx. Code Crim. Proc. Sec.35.16 (10)byheart.Askthequestiongenerallyandsee
ifyougetanyresponses.Igenerallyaskitduring the issue of whether they believe my client is guiltyof“something”orhewouldn’tbesitting nexttome.Keepinmindthatiftheyanswer“Yes” thenthestatutesaysthattheyCANNOTberehabilitatedbytheStateortheCourt.
7. Whiletherulesstatethatyoucannotgo intothefactsofthecase,itdoesnotmeanthatyou can’tgive“examples”oftheapplicationofthelaw tothefactsinyour“hypothetical”.Ialwaystryto paintapictureofthecasewithexamples,applying thelawinamannerthatrevealstothecompetent jurorexactlywhatthecaseisabout.IusetheVoir Dire, tothedegreethatIcan,todoageneral closingargument.Iwantthemtoknowwhatthe caseisabout,whatIexpect,andwhatchallenges theStatewillfacewiththeirevidence.
AttheendofVoirDire,theuseofyourstrikesis always,inmyopinion,a“gut”decision.Theway peoplelook,lookatyou,lookatyourclient,etc., allimpactthedecisiontostrike.Attheendofthe day,youneverreallyknowhowtheywillvote.I
knowofacasewhereseveralofthebestattorneys in the State tried a Murder case here in Bexar County years ago. They hired jury consultants andengagedinmockjurypanels.Afterthejury wasseated,theyhadmutedgleethattheperson that they felt strongest about being favorable, endeduponthepanel.Attheconclusionofthe evidence,thefirstquestionoutoftheboxwas signedbythatjurorasthepresidingjuror.They wereelated.Whenthejuryhung11-1foracquittal,theywereshockedtolearnthattheir“ringer” was the only hold out for conviction!
Beconfidentinyourpresentation.Youneedto establish immediate credibility with your panel andyoucandosobyhavingacommandofthe issuesandlawrelatedtoyourcase.Mygoalatthe beginningofeachcaseistotakecommandofthe courtroomandmakethejurorswanttopayattentiontomypresentation,myquestionsandmyobjections.That’swhyIbelievethat“Presentationis Persuasion”.
Bernie Campion
1Judgesseemtovaryintheirpoliciesandprocedureswithrespecttoempanelingajury.Some judgesevenvarytheirproceduresforparticular typesofcases,especiallyifitisahigh-profilesituationoronewheretheyexpectalargenumber willbeexcusedforcause.Thus,thefirstorderof businessistofamiliarizeyourselfwellinadvance withtherules,procedures,timeconstraints,seatingarrangements,andequipmentthatyouwillbe workingwith.
2. Knowwhatyourprimarytheoryofdefenseisgoingtobeandformulateinquiriesdesignedtoidentifythosepeoplewhoareunderstandingandacceptingofthatdefense.Inever ceasetobeamazedatthepeoplewholookgood
orbadbasedupontheirdatasheetsbutwhosurprisinglyholdotherthanexpectedopinionson self-defense,eyewitnesstestimony,scientificevidence,etc.
3. Thereisnoquestionbutthattechnology hastakenjuryselectiontoahigherlevel.Having visualsonabigscreentodemonstratewhatyou aretalkingaboutreinforcestheconceptmorethan sayingittentimes.Ienvythelawyersthatare goodatit.Forthoselikemewhoaretechnologicallychallenged,itmightbeworthwhiletofind someonethatcanhelpwithapowerpointpresentation.
4. Ratherthanquestionsthatsolicitdirect, shortresponses,trytogetadiscussiongoingon thetopicmostcriticaltoyourdefensethatwillencouragepeopletosharetheirfeelingsonthesubject.Thismightrequirepushingafewbuttonsin sensitiveareastogetariseoutofsomeonethatwill getthingsgoing.
5. Have help. It is hard to balance all the platesthatarespinningduringvoirdire.Ifthe goalisalivelydiscussion,itwillneverhappenina stop/startsituationwhereyouaretryingtomoderatethediscussion,absorbtheresponses,andtake notesofwhosaidwhat.Youwilleitherendup withadiscussionthatneverunfoldsasdesired,or youwillhavealotofactiveexchangesofthoughts andideasbutnowaytoassimilateitintousable informationwhenitcomestimetomakestrikes. Havingsomeonewhocankeepscoreispriceless.
6. Itwouldbenicetohavethejurylikeyou, butifyouatleastdonotalienatethem,youare ahead.Thebestwaytoaccomplishthatistotryto comeacrossassincere,competent,prepared,and professional.Ifyousatisfythosecriteria,evenif theydon’tlikeyou,theywillatleastrespectyou. Moreimportantly,youwillhavestartedlayingthe foundationforyourcredibility,whichisessential forajurytogowithyouintheend.
7. Preparingfortrialtakesalotofwork.So muchworkthatsometimesweforgettoprepare ourclientsfortrial.Obviously,iftheyaregoingto testify,preparingthemfordirectandcrossiscritical.Butasidefromthat,theyneedtobeschooled onhowtheirwordsandactions,insideandoutside thecourtroom,canmakeadifference.Juryselectioniswhenthepanelwilldrawtheirfirstimpressionofthepersonaccused.Thus,appearanceand demeanorareveryimportant.Meaningfulinteractionwithyourclientduringjuryselectionnot onlyhasahumanizingeffect,italsocommunicatesconcernandalevelofseriousnessthatmost peoplewouldexpectfromsomeonewrongfully accused.
8. MaybeIamoddmanout,butpersonally, Ihavehadbettersuccesswithmoreeducatedjurorsthanwithshallowtagalongs.Perhapsitisthe mentaldisciplinenecessarytounderstandandapplywhatcanbecomplexlegalissues.GoodoutcomesinsomeofthetoughestcasesIhavetried have come from juries that had doctors and/or lawyersonthem.Butbecareful,astrong-minded jurorwilleitherbeyoursalvationoryourcurse.
Jonathan “Chavy” Chavez
1Ifyouimmediatelyfindsomeonewhoisgood foryouonthejurypanel,throwthemsoftballs therestofthetimesoitlookslikethey’reneutral totheState.
WhatImeanbythisisthatyoucansometimes identifypeoplewhoaregoodforyoufromthe verybeginning.Youhavetokeepcomingbackto thatpersontodemonstratethatthispersoncanbe neutralortheStatewilldefinitelystrikethem.Afteryoudecidethatyouwantthatpersononyour
jury, keep coming back to them with softball questionsthateveryonesoundsgoodon.“Isn’tit fairtosaythatyou’reareasonableperson.”
2. Trialisjustastorytellingmedium—You getasneakpeekatwhatthecriticswanttosee.
Thisisthetimeintheproceedingswhereyou havethebestopportunitytoknowyouraudience. Don’twastethattimebygivinglongspeeches. Get in right away and start to ask questions.
You’regettingasneakpeekatwhoyouraudience mightbeandtheywilltellyouexactlywhatthey wanttosee.Usethistimetolearnwhattheaudiencewantstoseesothatyoucanadjusteverything,howevermuchitneedstobetoaccommodatethosejurors.
Trialisessentiallyanotherstorytellingmedium. Andjuryselectionisoneofthethingsthatthe writerhastoworkwithinwhentellinghisstoryto theaudience.Useyourtimewiththevenirepanel injuryselectiontolaythefoundationforyour story.
3. People’swordsaretheworstwaytotell howsomeonethinks:Neverpickajuryalone,or you’llmissout.
Welearnhowtofilterourfeelingsthroughour words to make those feelings more palatable. Someonecansaytheylovedmysinging,butIreally don’t believe them when I can tell they’re holdinginlaughter.Alotofbodylanguageisn’t thatapparent,butitalwaysisabetterindicatorof howsomeonefeelsonacertaintopicorabouta certainperson.
Becauselittleindicatorslikethisaresoimportant, youneedtohaveasecondchair, at the very least, duringjuryselection.Therearetoomanypeople onthepaneltokeeptrackofalltheminutefacial responsesandotherresponsesthroughbodylanguage.
4. Rememberthatyou’reaperson:Havea lifeoutsideofthelaw.
MostlawyersIknowforgotwhatit’sliketolivein thisworldasanon-lawyerthesecondtheyreceive wordthattheypassedthebar.Theyanalyzeeverythingasifthey’regivingalawschoolcasebrief thenextdayinclass.Theyforgetthatmostofthe world’s interactions are driven by emotion and notlogic.Oneofthebiggestproblemsisthatthey
can’t even remember what it’s like to watch a movieortvshowandnotanalyzeitasifthey’re breakingdowndiscovery.Isaythatlastpartbecausejurorsviewtrialasjustanotherstorytelling medium.
If the only people you spend time with are lawyers,thenyouonlyknowhowlawyersreactto thingsineverydaylife.That’salittlescaryconsideringyouhavetopickfromapoolofpeoplewho knownothingaboutthelawbutloveLawand Order.It’sbizarre.Onesecondtheattorneyisgivingapolishedspeechintroducingthemselvesand tellingtheveniremembershowhonoredtheyare to be representing their clients, and the next they’re babbling off legal jargon because they don’tknowwhat’sgoingaboveeveryone’shead.
Youneedtohavealifeoutsideofthelawtoknow howtoconnectwithpeoplewhoaren’tlawyers.
5. Takeactingclasses.
Trialisstreettheater.JuryselectioninStatecourt iscrowdwork.Theworstthingintheworldisto prepthehelloutofyourcase,andnotbeableto communicateyourdefensivetheorytothejury. Actingclasseshelpoutinsomanyways.Itteaches youhowtocommandtheaudiencewhenyou wanttheirattention.Itteachesyouhowtoshift theaudience’sattentiontosomethingelsewhen youdon’twantitonyou.Itteachesyouhowto usedistancetointensifyamoment.Itteachesyou whentospeaksofttodrawthatjuryinrightbeforeyouaskthemtofindyourclientNotGuilty
FromspeakingtocolleaguesIknowthatoneof thebigfearsduringtrialisthatthejurydoesn’t understandwhatI’msaying.Actinghelpsyouto makesurethatyouknowhowtocommunicate.
Also, a practical side-effect of scripted acting classesisthatyougetinsanelygoodatmemorizinglotsofmaterialreallyfast.Everyoneknows
thatregardlesshowmuchyouprep,something willbesprungonyouintrialthatyouhaveto learnreallyfast.Also,it’sjustnicetohavetherules memorizedwhenyou’recitingthemtothejudge.
6. Changeyourmindsetto“IGetToDo This!” You’re allowed to enjoy yourself while you’redoingthis.
Youaregoingtodoabetterjobifyouactually wanttobetryingthecase.Thisiswhatyouwent tolawschoolfor.Thisiswhatyoudreamedabout thefirsttimeyoureadToKillAMockingbird. Thisisyourchancetouseyourwordsandknowledgetoprotectyourclient.
A lot of lawyers tend to forget that when the workloadgetsoverwhelming.It’sunderstandable togettothepoint,butourclientsreallydeserve thezealousadvocatethatwewenttolawschoolto become.
Thejurypicksuponthedefenseattorney’sfeelingsaboutthecaseveryfast.Thejurycandefinitelytellwhenthedefenseattorneythinksthe trialisjustawasteoftheirtime.Youmightthink theStateisdumbforevenbringingthecaseto trial.Thejurypaneldoesn’tknowthatyet.All theyseeisonesideactingchildishtotheotherside who’stryingtodotheirgovernmentjob.
7. Giveyourelevatorpitchtopeoplewho aren’tlawyers.
Iwanttoprefacethisbysayingthatotherlawyers aregenerallyyourabsolutebestsourceofinformationandguidanceinthepracticeoflaw.That said,yourvenirepanelwillbemadeupprimarily ofnon-lawyers.Peoplewhohaven’tbeenthrough lawschoolprocessstoriesdifferentlythantrained attorneys.OnethingthatIliketodobeforeIgo totrialisrunmydefensivetheorybymybrother who lives in Denver. Sometimes he says, “that makes perfect sense, why are they even trying this,”andsometimeshestartslaughingandasks
mehowI’mgoingtosaythatwithastraightface.
8. Takeanimprovclass.
Improvclassesareawesome.Theyprepareyoufor anysituationyou’lleverbethrowninto.You’ll learnhowtothinkonyourfeetfastinfrontofan audience.Youlearnhowtoadjustontheflywhen somethingdoesn’tgojustasyouplannedit.Most ofallyougetmorecomfortablewithyourselfin frontofanaudience.Thepanelwillpickupon thatauthenticity.
9. Listentothejuryandwritedownwhat theysay.
Thejurywillliterallytellyouwhattheywantthe Statetoshowtheminacertaintypeofcase.Just askthem.Andafteryouaskthem,writedown theiranswers.It’sreallypowerfultoshovethose answersdownthethroatsinclosingiftheState hasn’tshownthem.
10. Don’tbeafraidtomessup.
Ifyouputtheworkinpre-trialandproperlypreparefortrialthenyou’vedonethework.Beconfidentinthatworkandtryyourcase.Focusonthe thingsthatyouneedtogetdoneandcommunicatingthosethingseffectively.Ifyou’refocused onwhatyouneedtodo,thenyou’renotfocused onwhathappensifyoumessup.
11. Behonestwiththejury.
Thestateisgoingtocomeoffasacoupleofboy scoutstothejury.Itlooksrehearsed,anditlooks fake.AlotoftimesIliketotellvenirepanelsthat I’mnotlookingforafairjury.That’sdumb.IfI wantaNotGuiltyformyclientwhywouldIadvocateforsomeoneonthejurywhowantstobe fairtobothsidesversussomeonewhowantstobe faironlytomyclient.Thesearegrownadultswho aremissingwork,andprobablylosingmoneyby beingthere.I’mnotgoingtolietothemandgive
themarehearsedspeechofhowthisisthebestsystemintheworld,andthatIwanteveryonetobe fairtoeachother.IletthemknowthatI’mthere togetaNotGuiltyandIwantajurythatbestputs
1meinapositiontogetthatNotGuilty.
Cathy Compton
Gointojuryselectionknowingwhatquestions youwantthosejurorsaskingoncetheygoback to deliberate the case. Work backwards from there.Figureoutthegood,bad,anduglyinthe case so you can prepare the jury to be critical thinkers. Voir dire is your one chance to pack yourjurors'bagsforthemwithalltheconcepts theywillneedtobesuccessfulonthisjourney. Eachcaseisunique,sotreateverycasedifferently whenchoosingwhattopack!
2. Don'trelyheavilyonnotesorspendalot oftimereadingyourownPowerPointtothejurors.Onthatsubject,besurethatyourvisualaids don'tdistractthejury.Avoidanythingthatkeeps themfromactivelylisteningtoyou.
3. Trytoneverrehashthesameconceptsthat theprosecutorsandsometimesthejudgehavealreadygoneoverwiththepanel.Don'twastetime. Defensevoirdireisoftenafterlunchoraftera lengthy and tiresome presentation by the state. Ask questions thatmake people think deeply
Vaboutwhytheyarethereandwhattheyaregoing todointhatjuryroom!
4. Don't"perform"forthejurypanel.It'snot aboutyou.Thejuryisnotyouraudience.Beareal personandtreateveryoneelseinthecourtroom likerealpeople.Askretiredpeopleaboutwhat theyusedtodoiftheydon'ttellyouontheircards. Try hard to not underestimate or overestimate anyone,includingyourself!
5. Neverdenigratejuryservice.Ineverjoke aboutjuryduty.Iwantthosejurorstounderstand whatanincredibleprivilegeandresponsibilityitis toserve,howlifechangingtheirverdictwillbe, andhowdifficultitisforanyonetoactuallyever overturnawrongfulconviction.
6. Beawareofyourownbiasandentitlement.
7. Trustyourgut,always.
Karen Corby
oirdireisoneofmyfavoritepartsofajury trial.It’sanamazingopportunitytogetthe jurythinkingyourway.Irefertoitasplanting seeds.Plantseedsinthejurythatwillblossominto alignmentwithyourdefense.It’sachancetosway thejuryintolikingyouandwhatyousharewith thembecauseoftentimesifajurydoesn’tlikeyou theywillbelesslikelytocritically—withanearfor reasonabledoubt—listentoyou.Myvoirdiresare always different. I’m pretty fluid and don’t use
manynotes.Itryandgowiththeflowandgetthe jurorsintoaconversation.TwothingsI’vefound tobeveryeffectiveinvoirdirearetoNOTBE BORINGandnotletthejurors’seyesglazeover. Keeptheirattentionbyengagingthemandreel them back in if they aren’t listening. A glazed over,boredjuryisnotagoodthing.Ilikeusing theK.I.S.S.approach(KeepItSimpleSweetheart).
ThesearethecorethingsIalwayscoverinvoir direwiththepanel:
1. Iintroducemyclient,myselfandmycocounsel.It’simportanttohumanizeyourclient. Tellthejuryalittleabouthimorherinorderfor themtoknowalittleoftheirbackground.My clients are always instructed to keep a straight, concerned,andseriousfacebecausewewantthe jurytosensethattheirlifeisinthejury’shands.
2. Iaskthepaneliftheywanttobeonthe juryandtellthemthatwe’relookingforfairand honestpeople.Iaskthequestion,“whohereisnot afairandhonestperson?”Usuallynooneraises theirhand.FromthereItalkalittleaboutbiasand howevenfairandhonestpeoplemaynotberight formyclient’sjury.Itellthemthatwearereally de-selecting people and there’s nothing wrong withbeingde-selectedbecausewe’relookingfor afairandimpartialjuryforthisparticularcase.Iinformthemthatiftheydon’twanttobethere,they betterstarttalking.becausemoreoftenthannot, “ifyoutalkyouwalk.”Ilettheminonthe“secret” thatthequietoneshaveagoodchanceofgetting onthejury.I’vefoundthatthat’softenwhenIsee anuptickinpeoplespeakingup.
3. Askingthejuryiftheycanpresumeyour clientinnocentisimportant.Askiftheyalready haveapreconceivednotionofguiltbecause,“she must’vedonesomethingwrongifshegotthisfar.” Trytoimpressuponthemthatapersoncharged withacrimeisinnocent“unless”provenguilty andthattheyneedtopresumefromthebeginning thatyourclientisinnocent.Ineversay,“innocent ‘until’guilty,”becauseIfeellikeitimpliesthat guiltisaforegoneconclusion.Iaskthem,“how manyofyouwalkedinandaskedyourself,Iwonderwhatshedid?”andthentellthem,“inyour eyesyoumustpresumeshe’sdonenothing.”
4. I discuss a defendant’s right to remain silentandallthereasonsapersonwouldtestifyor
nottestify.Askthepanelifthey’veeverbeenaccused of something they didn’t do and how it madethemfeel.Ifyou’relucky,you’llgetsomeonewhoshareshowtheywerewronglyaccused ofacrime.Testimonialslikethatarepriceless.Itry and get a lot of feedback about why someone wouldchoosenottotestify:fearofpublicspeaking,scaredofringingabelltheynervouslyandaccidentallyrang,beingyoungand/orunsophisticated,scaredofaggressiveprosecutorstryingto putwordsintheirmouth…andthelistgoeson. Ithenaskiftheywouldrequestajurytrialifthey werechargedwithacrime,andiftheywouldtestify. That question invariably gets lots of responses,andwhatevertheresponsesare,Ivalidate themandhashthemout.
5) Itailormyvoirdiretofitmycase.Consider demographics. In my humble opinion, I thinkit’susuallygoodtogeteducatedpeopleon thejurybecausetheymayunderstandthedistinctionsalittlebetter.Itryandindirectlyweavemy casefactsintomyvoirdire.Forexample,ifselfdefenseordefenseofathirdpersonisanaffirmativedefense,Igetthejurydiscussingwhatthat meansandhowitcanbeestablished.Itrytoget themtoexplainittomeandtherestofthepanel byaskingquestionslike,“weallknowwhatself defensecanlooklike,right?”;“whatareexamples ofselfdefenseordefenseofathirdparty?”;“do youhavetowaittobestruckbeforeyoudefend?”; “cansomeonebedefendingthemselvesiftheyare thefirsttolandapunch?”;“whenisitoktouse deadlyforce?”;andsoonandsoforth.Inpossessionofdrugcases,Iplaceanobjectunderajuror’s chairandaskthemifit’sintheirpossession.When theyrespondandsay,“no,becauseIdidn’tputit thereanddidn’tknowitwasthere”,Isuggestthey andthepersonsittingnexttothemareincare, custodyandcontrolofthatobject.It’shelpfulalso iftheobjectisapillorsomethingpowderyina bag, but I’ve dropped pencils and buttons in a pinch). Again, my intent is to plant seeds. It doesn’tevenhavetobedirectlyinlinewithyour
case.Justgetthemthinkinganddoubting.Itwill carryoverintothetrialandthengoodthingscan happeninyourcase.
6. Covering the credibility of witnesses is critical.Iinformthejurythatitistheywhowill betheonestodetermineifsomeoneisorisnot tellingthetruth.Wediscussinconsistenciesand whatthatindicatesandhowtheeasiestthingto rememberisthetruth.ThejuryisusuallyveryengagedwhenIstartaskingthosequestions.Ipay attentionandencouragethemtohashitout.Ifrelevant,Igetthepaneltalkingaboutmotivestolie. “Dopeoplelieandwhy?”Arepeoplecapableof intentionallymakingupuntruestoriesjusttoget someone else in trouble? Has anyone ever lied aboutyou?”
7. I’vefoundit’scriticaltoeducatethejury aboutthefactthattheyareINDEPENDENTJURORSandiftheyareselectedtobeonthejuryit willbetheirjobtocourageouslyhangontotheir vote.I’vefoundthattobeaveryimportantthing tospoonfeedtothejuryinvoirdireandinclosing argumentbecauseyouwantsoldiersinthatdeliberationroom,duginwiththeirnotguiltyverdicts.Acoupleofdug-innotguiltiescanwear downajuryinto12notguilties.
8. Ihammeronproofbeyondareasonable doubt.Oneofthemostimportantthingstoteach thejuryiswhyproofbeyondareasonabledoubtis soimportantandthatitisthestate’sburdento proveit.It’sabovealltheotherlegalburdensand it’ssohighbecauseyoucanloseEVERYTHING (liberty,reputation,money,job,family,children, etc.).It’saburdenthatissohighthat,inTexas, youcanactuallyloseyourlifeifconvicted.Oneof myfavoritethingstorespondtoisthestate’sexplanation of what beyond a reasonable doubt means.Theylovetominimizetheburdenandsay, “it’snotbeyondALLdoubtandthatthere’snodefinitivedefinition.”Iunderstandit’snotbeyond ALLdoubt,butitalwaysannoysmebecausethey
try and undermine the importance. They have somepredictableslidestheyshowtoillustratethe burden:dogssittinginthemiddleofatrashed kitchen;awetparkinglotatthemovietheater; missingpuzzlepieces;thefill-in-the-blankWheel ofFortuneslide,tonameafew.Allofthemare excellentopportunitiestotearuptheirhypotheticals.Itryandbecreative,thinkoutsidethebox andlookforchancestopounceontheiroftentimesrotepresentation.It’sawonderfulfeelingto gobackandspeakwiththejuryafteraverdictand hear:“thestatejustdidn’tmeettheirburden.”In oneofmytrialsIexplainedtheburdenofproof duringvoirdire,andaskedaspecificjurorifhe thoughtheunderstoodtheburdenofproof.He respondedandexplainedtomeandthejurythat beyondareasonabledoubtmeansthestatehasto gettheirevidencepastthefinishline.Heendedup onthejuryandtoldmeafterthetrialwasover, “theydidn’tgetpastthefinishline.”Thatwasvery validating.Ifitisproperly,logically,andemphaticallyexplainedtotheminvoirdire,thejurywill bemuchmorelikelytounderstandwhatproofbeyondareasonabledoubtreallymeans.Onelast anecdote:Iloveitwhenthestatetellsthejurythat, “everydayallacrossAmerica,peoplearefound guilty.”Eveniftheydon’tsaythat,it’ssomuch funtostillgetupandtellthejurythat,“everyday all across America people are found NOT GUILTY”.
Mario Del Prado
1Ifyoutakeanideafromonelawyer,it’sstealing.Ifyoutakefrommany,it’sresearch.Watch trialsanddomuch“research.”
2. You will not change anyone’s strongly heldpreexistingbeliefsgoingin.
3. Credibilityisallyouhave—Theethosof persuasion—behonestaboutwhatyoufear.Create afearlistandthosearetheissuesyouneedtodiscuss. Thosearewhereyouutilizeyourstrikesfor cause.Whateverkeepsyouawakeaboutthecase willbediscussedinthejuryroom,somakesure youfindoutwhattheythinkaboutwhenand whereyoucanstilldosomethingaboutit. Gerry Spence’sversionof“I’llshowyoumine,ifyou showmeyours. Openupaboutyourissues: “My client has full facial tattoos. That frightens me. Whataboutyou?”
4. Sometimes,thebestapproachistoplaythe Devil’s advocate and allow the venireperson to self-persuade: Forexample: “Manyfolkssayitbe abettersystemtojustgivetotaldiscretiontolaw enforcement. Whatdoyouthink?”;“Manypeoplewillstate,‘Onlyguiltypeopleinvoketheir5th Amendmentright.Whatdoyouthink?”Another versionwouldbe,“Somefolkssaythatadefendant willsayanythingtosavethemselves.” Otherfolks say,“They’reguiltyiftheydon’tdefendthemselves.” Doyouseehowthatputsmyclientbetweenarockandhardplace?Whatshouldwedo? Whatdoyouthink?”
5. Frame issues to your advantage. “This caseisaboutanangryparentandchildtryingto gainadvantageandseekrevenge.”
6. ThereisonlyONEpresumptioninthis case:
Myclientstartsoutaheadbecausehe’spresumed innocent. Whatdoesthismean?
7. Jurors watch how you treat your client andeveryoneelseinthecourtroom.Ifyoudonot exudeapassionforyourclient’sinnocence,they willsenseit. Youcannotsellwhatyouwillnot buy.Treateveryone,includingthestaffofcourt, withutmostcourtesy. Jurorsdonotliketosee lawyerstreateachotherpoorly.
8. Usescaledquestionsfor3or4ofyour most important attitude barometers. That way youget3or4responsesfromeverysingleperson.
9. Getthejurorstoopenuphonestlywith, “therearenobadresponses,wejustwanthonest ones.” Aftertheygivetheiropinions,followup with,“Itakeit,baseduponyourcarefullyconsideredresponse,thatinspiteofthelaw,thefacts, andthecourt’sinstructions,youmaintainthoseto anyoneinquiring.”
10. On punishment, if you’re asking the venireperson to “consider” community supervisionor“consider”theminimumsentence,follow upwiththefactthatthelawrequiresthattheycan considerandgiveeffecttosuch,andnotmerely mouthaplatitudethatthey’dneveractuallygive seriousconsiderationto.
John Economidy
As you go through discovery and interview yourclientandwitnesses,flagpotentialvoir direissuestocoverwiththepanel.
Watch jurors for demeanor and posture when eachentersthecourtroom.
Givethedefendantsheetsofpapermarkingjurors 1to42fortheclienttowriteimpressionsofthe jurorduringvoirdireandinstructtheclientto writedownhisimpressions.
Iusuallylackthetimeinvoirdiretodraftacommentforeachpanelmember.Asaback-up,after each written question, give a numberedsequence:
hamburgerinhiscarandtheonewhoshotand killedaladythroughaglasspatiodoor?Askwhat thatjuror’soutlookwasonthecase.
Before trial, go to the jury instruction writer (chargewriter)andseeifthereisapastjuryinstructionsimilartoyours.Asforaprintout.Writer will not draftachargeforyourcase,butthewriter usuallycanprovideachargesimilartoyourcase. Wherethechargefavorsaclient,focusyourvoir direontheissue.
I always query about presumption of evidence, burdenofproof,andthestandardofproofincases, e.g.preponderanceofevidence,clearandconvincing evidence, and proof beyond reasonable doubt.
In50yearsofpractice,Ihavenotwonacaseon insanity.
Putyourmentalissuesonincompetencypriorto trial.
Usehighernumbersincaseswhereitislikelyone willneedalargerpanel(e.g.sexorchildcases).
Ifthememberisacceptable,circlethenumber.If challengeableforcause,write“C”overthenumber,or“P”foraperemptorychallenge.Usethe marginstowritecomments.Giveacopyofthe numberingsystemtotheclientandco-counsel,if any.
Iliketoknowthejuror’smoralrageandusually ask:HaveyourheardofthecaseswhereaSanAntonio police officer shot the teenager eating a
Watch out for potential jurors who can becomeexpertsindeliberations.Examples:nurse, doctor, psychologists. Commit the individualnottobeanexpertduringdeliberations.
Ifajurorgivesafavorabledefenseresponse,ask anotherjuroriftheyagreeordisagreewiththat view.Onascaleof1to10,howstronglydoyou agree/disagree?
Raisetheissueofanylesserincludedoffenses.
Whenthecasewillinvolveanaccomplicewitness, explainandcommitthejuror.Ifthereismorethan oneaccomplice,educatethejuror(andprosecutor andjudge)thatoneaccomplicewitness cannot corroborateanotheraccomplicewitness.
Bingham v. State, 909 S.W.2d 903 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).
Askforajurychargeonthatlimitation.
OInchildvictimcases,focusyourvoirdireheavily towardschallengesforcause,especiallyonpotentialforbias.WarrenWolfehasanexcellentwork upforvoirdireinthoseareas.
Loraine Efron
ne of the most important things I have learnedaboutvoirdireovertheyearsistobe myselfandtoembracemystyle.Iapproachvoir direlikethis:
SometimesIwilljustsitatmycomputerandsort of“freeform”mythoughtsonthecaseandtrial strategy.Imightdorandomgeneralsearchesfor memesthatmightbeuseful.Imightdobroad Googlesearchesforvoirdireand/orpublicityon similarcases.Thiskindofopen,broadreflection ofthecasecanactuallyhelpmezoominonthe areasinwhichIwanttofocusandgivemefresh ideasandapproaches.
Ialwaysdoublecheckthepublicity,ifany,onmy casetomakesureIaddressit,ifnecessary.
Prepare PowerPoint- Even though I still find PowerPointalittleawkward,Ipersonallyfindit helpful,ifnothingelse,buttoremindmeofthe issuesIwanttocover.Ihavealsoheardjurorsgive positivefeedbackaboutthehelpfulnessofPowerPoint,especiallyregardingkeylegalconceptsand definitions.Ithinkleavingthingsliketheapplicablelawordefinitionsupthereforabitgivesjurors achancetoreadandconsiderthem.
Iprioritizemyissuesandleavethelessconsequentialstufffortheend.Itrytogetmy“cause”questionsoutthereearly,sowecanidentifyindividualsorgroupsforwhomwemayevenbeableto getagreedstrikes.Itrygettingthebigstuffout thereearlysoIamsurenottoleaveimportant questionsunasked.
Timeisalwaysafactor,soIidentifytheissuesI mustcoverandtrytopacemyself;
Becameraready.Iamjustlikethat!ButIalso wanttoputastamponmypresenceandcreate someauthorityandcredibilitybymyappearance.
I try to find a good “ice breaker” if I can, sometimes just to loosen myself up, but also becausethejurorsalwaysseemtohaveinterestat thebeginningofanewspeaker.Itrytogetsome momentumgoing.
IfIusescaledquestions,IdososparinglyasIpersonallyfindthemdifficulttokeeptrackofandfeel thatvaluabletimecanbewastedwhenaskingeach jurorifthey are an A<D<B<D.I would rather developconversationandsinceIfindscaledquestionsawkward,IonlyusethemwhenIfeelIcan dosoproductivelyandeffectively. Itrytodoat leastone.
Iconsidermythemeofthecaseandstarttodevelopitinvoirdire,directlyandindirectly.Imay drop“hints”or“code”wordsthatIintendtocome backtointrial.
Again, I try to be more conversational in my approach.FocusedinteractioniswhatIwant.After getting some information and feedback in “general“voirdire,Iwillgobackandquestion andengageindividualsIgenerallywanttostrike orsave,andflushoutthemorequietones,ifIcan;
IfIgetaparticularlygoodorbadresponse,Iwill trytoloopitbacktothepanelandask,forexam-
ple,“whoagreeswithwhatJurorNumber20just said?Or“JurorNo.40,whatdoyouthinkabout whatJurorNo20justsaid?”Worktheroom!
Itrytoplanandhaveageneralgameplanforvoir direbutallowfororganicbutfocuseddiscussion. Iurge“focused”becauseitcanbehardtoredirect a“rogue”juror;Ifindawaytopolitelystopthem andcontinueinmypurpose.Imightsay,“Ms. Jones,thankyouforsharingwithus.Weappreciateyourthoughts”andmaybeI’lltryto“loop”to getawayfromthatpersonorI’lljustmoveon. Asking prepared, open ended, conversational questionsisgreatbutIknowIhavetobereadyto purposefullycontrolanddirect.
MAgain,Ihavelearneditisbestformetoembrace mystyleandmaximizeittothebestofmyability. Iammorerelaxedthatway,totheextentIcanbe relaxed!Often,mystyleandthestyleofmycocounseldiffersignificantlybutgivegreatbalance totheentiredefense.Infact,IlovewhenIcantry acasewithaco-counselwhereweeachcanmaximize our individual and unique approach and style, with coordination and purpose...yin and yang!Ifyouhaveateam,utilizeyourassets.
Going“textbook”voirdirecanbeagreatroad mapbutwhenIgetupthere,Itrytoputthe“text book”behindandjustgo!
Joseph Esparza
ake sure voir dire is taken down by the CourtReporter.Fileamotiontoensurethat voirdireisrecordedinfullandgetitgrantedprior totrial.Prosecutorswillagreeproformatothe grantingofthissortofmotionandwillnotcontest it.Theappellateprocessandpreservationoferror fortrialpurposesbeginshereandwithoutarecord toindicatewhatwassaid,youmayloseoutona winningpointoferrorshouldtheStateorthe Judgedosomethingthatrunsafouloftherulesor thelaw.Section52.046oftheGovernmentCode requiresarequestbemadeforthecourtreporter torecordtheproceeding.Thissectionconflicts withandtrumpsRule13.1[TexasRulesofAppellateProcedure]. Polasek v. State, 16 S.W.3d 82 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, pet. ref’d). Toforestallalldoubtthatyourequestarecordbemadeof thejuryselection,filethemotion.
Beawareofanyactionbythecourtorcourtstaff totheclosingofthecourtroomtothegeneral public.AlldefendantshaveaSixthAmendment righttoapublictrialandtheU.S.SupremeCourt inJanuary2010in Presley v. Georgia, 130 S.Ct.
721,175 L.Ed.2d 675, 2010 U.S. LEXIS 761 (2010), reaffirmedthisrightinvoirdire,citingwell-establishedprecedent.Thisrighthasbeenheldofsuch importancethatsomefederalcourtsdonotrequire anyshowingofharminordertoobtainrelief. Thereisafour-parttesttodetermineifadefendant’srighttopublictrialhasbeenviolated,so have a copy of Presley v. Georgia and Waller v. Georgia, 467 U.S. 39 (1984),onhandtomakesure yourobjectionisproperlymade.Ifyouseeorhear theJudgeorbailiffsgetpeopletoleaveforseating purposesorwhathaveyou,makethepublictrial objectionontherecordandgetarulingtopreserveyourerrorforlateruse!Alwayswatchoutfor apublictrialviolation.
FindoutfromtheJudgehowmuchtimeyouwill getforVoirDireandplanaccordingly...andobjectifyouneedto.Therighttocounselpursuant toArt.I,§10oftheTexasConstitutionincludes therightofcounseltoquestionmembersofthe jury panel in order to intelligently exercise peremptory challenges. Ex Parte McKay, 819 S.W.2d 478 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). Bothsidesare
entitledtoexplorematterswhichwouldleadtoa challenge for cause or peremptory challenge. Draughton v. State, 831 S.W.2d 331 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). Article35.17oftheTexasCodeofCriminal Procedure,however,givesjudgesthediscretionto imposereasonabletimelimitsonvoirdire. Boyd v. State, 811 S.W.2d 105 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 971, 112 S.Ct. 448, 116 L.Ed.2d 466 (1991). Ifyouhaveanobjectiontothetime limitationsimposeduponyoubythecourt,you mustmakeatimelyandspecificobjection. Little v. State, 758 S.W.2d 551 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). You mustthenrequestadditionaltime, Guerra v. State, 760 S.W.2d 681 (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi, 1988, pet. ref’d),andmustnotattempttoprolongthevoir dire.
McCarter v. State, 837 S.W.2d 117 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). Therecordmustcontainthosequestions counselproposedtoask,whichmustberelevant, not repetitious, and neither vague nor openended. Dhillon v. State, 138 S.W.3d 583 (Tex. App.Houston [14th Dist.], 2004, pet. dismissed). Strict timelimitationscouldmeritreversal.Thetestfor reasonablenessontimelimitsis:(1)effectiveuseof time;(2)properquestionsasked;and(3)whether therestrictioncausedimpairment. Tobar v. State, 850 S.W.2d 182 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
Don’tforgetthatyouhavea“shuffle”touseifyou don’tlikethelookofthepanel!Lawyersforget thisrightallthetimeandtrytogothroughvoir direandjustdealwithpotentialproblemjurors, whenashufflemightplacethemsofarbackthey becomeirrelevant,therebyfreeingupstrikesfor otherjurors.Article35.11oftheTexasCodeof CriminalProcedureallowsyoutheabilitytohave onetimetoshufflethepanel.Thisonetimeshuffle isnotonesideeach.Itisonetimewhicheverside requestsit,StateorDefense.Article35.11onlyauthorizesoneshuffleofthejurypanelseatedinthe courtroom. Chappell v. State, 850 S.W.2d 508 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). Asdefensecounsel,youhavethe righttoviewtheseatingofthemembersofthe
panelbeforedecidingwhethertomaketheshuffle request. Stark v. State, 657 S.W.2d 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Thecourtcannotprecludethisright byorderingtheshufflepriortothejurybeing seated and qualified. Id.; Johnson v. State, 977 S.W.2d 137 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). Youareentitled toa“reshuffle”onlyifoneshufflehasoccurred throughaction by the court or its staff and not by the State. Johnson v. State, 977 S.W.2d 137 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). Arequesttoshufflethepanelunder Article35.11istimelyifmadebeforethestartof voirdireexamination. Latham v. State, 656 S.W.2d 478 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Thismeanstheshuffle requestmustbemadebeforetheprosecutionbeginsquestioningthepanelmembers. Williams v. State, 719 S.W.2d 573 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). Introductoryremarksbythecourttothepaneland questionsbythejudgearenotconsideredpartof voir dire examination. Id. The purpose of the shuffleistoensurethecompilationofarandom listofjurors.Juryshuffleerror,suchaswhena judgewrongfullydeniestherequesttoshuffle,is subjecttoaharmlesserroranalysis. Ford v. State, 73 S.W.3d 923 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).
Haveanotherlawyersitwithyouduringvoirdire. Thisisjustcommonsense,sincetwosetsofeyes andearsandanotherlawyertobounceideasoffof while considering strikes is essential. The plain factisthatwhileyouprobablycouldhaveagood voirdirewithoutasecondattorneyassistingyou withnotesandobservations,oddsarevoirdire wouldhavebeensomuchbetterhadyouhada secondlawyerthereinthecourtroomwithyouto tellyouhowthatjuroryoufeltyou“connected with”madeafaceaboutyouwhenyouturned yourattentiontotheothersideofthepanel,or howaquietjurorthatyoudidn’tpayparticularattentionto,perkeduponadefense-friendlypoint andnoddedwithyou...butdidn’traisetheirhand whenyouweretryingtogetatallyonthatpoint later.Gethelpforvoirdire.
Makesureyourvisualsandexamplesbenefitthe defense. This too is common sense, but I see lawyersuseexamplesinwaysthathelptheState whentheydon’tmeanto,ortheyfailtochallenge theState’sexamples.Forexample,thecircumstantial evidence example prosecutors love to use about going from a sunny day to a rainy day, “Howdoweknowitrained?”asanexampleof circumstantialevidence.Challengethatmisconceptionandtellthepanel(ifithelpsyourcase,say a SA case with no physical evidence) that the State’s example isn’t one of circumstantial evidence,butofdirect,physicalevidence:Wecansee water,wecanmeasureit,weighit,wecantestit, we knowit’srealbecausetheevidenceisthereto witnesswithourowntwoeyes.Wedon’thaveto guessor“conclude”somethinglikeonewouldin a circumstantial evidence case. Who wouldn’t wantactualphysicalevidenceinacase,sothey’d knowthey’remakingtherightdecisionaboutanotherperson’slife?Likewe’veseenwaterdestroy people’shomesduringflooding,falseaccusations destroyhomestoo.That’swhyevidenceissoimportant,blah,blah,blahandsoforth.
AnothermisstepI’veseensomelawyersdoisusing thefootballfieldmetaphorwhentheyexplainfairnessforacriminaltrial,sometimesrepeatingwhat theStatesaysiftheyuseitfirst.Startonthat50yardline,notpastittohelptheStateorbeforeit tohelpthedefense,etc.THISISCOMPLETELY WRONG!!Thereisno50-yardlinestarttoany criminalcase.Don’tdiluteorminimizetheState’s BOPinyourclient’scaseandmeetthemhalfway. Ifoneendzoneisguilty,andtheotherendzone isnotguilty,andyourclientisPRESUMEDINNOCENT,you’reluckyyourclientevensetsfoot intheNGendzonetostartthistrial.THATis whereyoubeginifyourclientistohaveafairtrial inaccordancewiththelawandhis/herconstitutionalrights.Makesurethepanelknowsittoo. Don’tevergetinfrontofapanelandtalkabout fairnessandthe50-yardline.Ifyoudo,you’re misleadingthepanelonBOP,BRD,andwhatis
fairforyourclient.AlwaysstartattheNGend zoneifyou’regoingtouseafootballmetaphor whendiscussingyourtrial.NevermeettheState inthemiddle.
WatchforBatsonviolationsandraisethemifappropriate.BeawaretheTXCCPhasastatuteon this as well. Be aware of the racial or gender makeupofthestrikesoftheopposingsideand considerbringinganobjectionifyoubelieverace orgenderplayedapartintheotherside’sdecision tostrikeapotentialjuror.Art.35.261oftheTexas Code of Criminal Procedure codifies Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986),whichprohibitsperemptorychallenges basedonraceandisaptlyentitled,Peremptory ChallengesBasedonRaceProhibited.Pursuantto thiscodeprovision,afterthepartieshavedelivered theirstrikeliststotheclerkandbeforethecourt hasempaneledthejurythedefendantmayrequest thecourtdismissthearray(panel)andcallanew arrayinthecase.
Thismotionshallbegrantedbythejudgeifthe courtdeterminesthatthedefendantisamember ofanidentifiableracialgroup,thattheattorney representingtheStateexercisedperemptorychallengesforthepurposeofexcludingpersonsfrom thejuryonthebasisoftheirrace,andthatthedefendanthasofferedevidenceofrelevantfactsthat tendtoshowthatchallengesmadewereforreasonsbasedonrace.Ifthedefendantestablishesa primafaciecase,theburdenshiftstotheattorney representingtheStatetogivearaciallyneutralexplanationforthechallenges.Theburdenofpersuasionremainswiththedefendanttoestablish purposefuldiscrimination.
Ifthecourtfindstheconductimproperintheuse ofstrikesbythestate,theremedyisanewarrayof panelmembers.Beadvisedthattherecordmust containtheraceoftheaccused,theraceofthe prospectivejurorsonthepanel,andtheraceof those panel members struck by the prosecutor.
McKinney v. State, 761 S.W.2d 549 (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi 1988, no pet.)
Defensecounselisentitledtoreviewtheprosecutor’sjurorinformationnotesiftheprosecutoruses themtorefreshhisrecollectionastowhyheexercisedhisperemptorystrikes.Defensecounselmust ensurethatthesenotesaremadepartoftherecord intheeventthetrialcourtdoesnotrequirethe statetoproducethem. Salazar v. State, 795 S.W.2d 187 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). Thedefenseisentitled tocrossexaminetheprosecutoroncetheburden shiftsbacktothedefensetorefutetheneutralexplanationorshowthatitispretext. Id. Therightto make an offer of proof or bill of exception is absolute. Id.
TherationaleofBatsonhasbeenextendedincase lawtogenderaswell. Fritz v. State, 946 S.W.2d 844 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel. T.B., 511 U.S. 127, 114 S.Ct. 1419, 128 L.Ed.2d 89 (1994). Iftherespondingpartysuppliesaraceneutralreasonfortheperemptorychallenges,theproponentoftheobjectionhastheburdenofproving byapreponderanceoftheevidencethatthechallengeswereactuallyusedtoremoveforracially discriminatory reasons. Satterwhite v. State, 858 S.W.2d 412 (Tex. Crim. App.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 970, 114 S.Ct. 455, 126 L.Ed.2d 387 (1993). Asuspectpatternofchallengescoupledwithvagueand ambiguousexplanationsisindicativeofapretextualexplanation. Munson v. State, 774 S.W.2d 778 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1989, no pet.).TheSupreme Courtstatedthatdisparatetreatmentofwhiteand blackjurorsisacriticalfactorindeterminingifan allegedlyraceneutralexplanationforastrikeisreallyapretext. Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 125 S.Ct. 2317, 162 L.Ed.2d 196 (2005). Beadvisedthat Batsonchallengescanbebroughtbyeitherside allegingpurposefuldiscrimination. Georgia v. McCollum, 505 U.S. 42, 112 S.Ct. 2348, 120 L.Ed.2d 33 (1992).
Alwaysaskthepaneliftheyknowthelitigants, defendant,witnessesforeitherside,andEACH OTHER.Ajurorisunderoathtoanswerquestionstruthfully,butisnotobligatedtovolunteer information. The Court of Criminal Appeals statedthecontrollingstandard:[D]efensecounsel hasanobligationtoaskquestionscalculatedto bringoutthatinformationwhichmightbesaidto indicateajuror’sinabilitytobeimpartial,truthful, and the like. Unless defense counsel asks such questions,wemusthold...thatthepurportedly materialinformationwhichajurorfailstodisclose isnotreally“withheld”soastoconstitutemisconductwhichwouldwarrantareversal. Jones v. State, 596 S.W.2d 134 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980), overruled onothergrounds, Sneed v. State, 670 S.W.2d 262 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984) (juror failed to disclose she had once been a jail guard).Inonecase,thelackof questioning by counsel was noteworthy. The panelwasaskedifanyofthemwereacquainted withmembersoftheprosecutionstaffsuchthatit wouldaffecttheirverdict.Therewasnoresponse. Later,itwaslearnedthattheforepersonofthejury knewtheelectedDAwell,thathehadbeenthe bestmanatherwedding,andthatherhusband was the treasurer of the prosecutor’s reelection campaign. Armstrong v. State, 850 S.W.2d 230 (Tex. App. - Texarkana 1993, pet. ref’d). Thecourtupheld theguiltyverdictbecauseArmstrong’sattorney askednoquestionduringvoirdiretouchingona relationshipbetweentheDAandthepanelists.His questionwasfoundtobesubjectiveinnatureand noresponsewouldberequiredofthequestion posedifthejurorthoughttheirrelationshipwould not affect their judgment. Id. In contrast, in Franklin v. State,ajurorinanaggravatedsexualassaultcaselaterrevealed,whenthefirstwitnesswas called,thatsheonlythenrealizedthatthevictim inthecasewasamemberofhergirlscouttroop. Thejurorinformedthecourtwhomadethedeterminationthatthejurorcouldbefairandrefused defensecounsel’srequesttoquestionthejurorpersonally.Theappellatecourtfoundtherefusalwas errorbecauseitdeprivedthedefendanttheoppor-
tunitytodeterminebiasagainsthimduetoherrelationship with the victim. Franklin v. State, 12 S.W.3d 473 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Thesesituations could have been avoided had defense counsel askedtherightquestionsattherighttime.You wouldbeamazedathowoftenthepanelmembers knoweachotherandalackofknowledgeonthis particular point could bite you later on should jurors“buddyup”backinthedeliberationroom.
Paycloseattentiontocommentsfromthebench andtheStateduringvoirdire.Thepositionoftrial judgeaddsweighttocommentsmadebythecourt tothepanel. Clark v. State, 878 S.W.2d 225 (Tex. App. - Dallas 1994, no pet.). Statementsthatcommunicatehostilityorbiasagainstthedefendantor hispositionareconsideredtobeharmful. Blue v. State, 41 S.W.3d 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Todeterminewhetherthecommentisreasonablycalculatedtobenefitthestateorharmthedefendant, appellatecourtsexaminewhetherthestatement wasmaterialtoanissueinthecase. Florio v. State, 626 S.W.2d 189 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981) (jurorstated hewouldgivegreaterweighttopoliceofficertestimony;courtdenieddefensechallengeforcause andstated,“Idon’tthinkhe’sdisqualified.Ithink everybodyfeelsthatway.”Thejudge’scomments wereharmfulbecausethepoliceofficersupplied important testimony in the case. Misstatements thatamounttoverbalslipsthatpotentialjurors wouldrecognizedonotcompromiseadefendant’s righttoafairtrial. Moody v. State, 827 S.W.2d 875 (Tex. Crim. App.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 839, 113 S.Ct. 119, 121 L.Ed.2d 75 (1992).
A trial judge’s misstatement of the law that is detrimentaltothedefenserequiresreversal. Taylor v. State 74 S.W.3d 457 (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi 2002), overruled on other grounds, 109 S.W.3d 443 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (judge gave example to panel of when a minimum sentence would be warrantedinagivencaseandusedimpermissible exampleofthevictiminthecaseaskingthatthe minimumbeassessed.Suchtestimonyisnotad-
missible). Harmful comments from parties can usuallybecuredbyaninstructiontodisregardunlesstheremarkisegregious,andthecourt’sruling impliedly endorses the harmful comment. Calderon v. State, 847 S.W.2d 377 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1993, pet. ref’d) (prosecutor’scommentonlaw curedbyinstruction).Toobtainreversalbecause ofmisstatementsofthelaw,thedefendantmust showthattheremarkswereanincorrectstatement ofthelawandthatthecommentsmighthavecontributedtohisconvictionorpunishment. Jackson v. State, 822 S.W.2d 18 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990), cert. denied, 509 U.S. 921, 113 S.Ct. 3034, 125 L.Ed.2d 722 (1993). Paycloseattentiontothequestions putforthbytheprosecutorandobjectiftheyattempttocommitthejurors.Questionsthatarenot intendedtodiscoverbiasagainstthelaworprejudicetoapartybutseekonlytodeterminehowa jurorwouldrespondtoanticipatedevidenceand committhemtoaspecificverdict,areimproper. Sanchez v. State, 165 S.W.3d 707 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). “Commitmentquestions”thatpurportto commitajurortoresolveanissueinacertainway afterlearningaparticularfactaregenerallyimproper. See Id.
Andalwaysremembertogetthepanelmembers talking!Thisisvoirdire,it’snotaTEDTalk, neverfallinlovewiththesoundofyourown voice.Lecturesomeonthelaworuseexamples, butgetyourpotentialjurorstalkingsoyoulearn somethingmorethantheirJuror#astheyraise theirnumberinresponsetoaquestionyouposed. Youneverknowwhatgoldistheretobeminedif theysittheresilentlyandplayagameofraiseyour-hand.Whetheryougetgoodopinionsor badopinions,alwaysaskwhoelseagreeswiththe personspeaking,gotothemandaskthem,Why dotheyagree?Starttheconversationandyouwill learnwhatyouneedtoknowtomakeyourchallengesorstrikeslateron.It’sokaytousehumor sparingly,butthisisaseriouscaseforyourclient. Ifyouknowyou’regoingtousehumortobreak theice,etc.,tellyourclientbeforehandsothey
knowandseethestrategybehindit;don’tjustdo itandhavethemthinkyou’renottakingtheircase seriously.Andalwayshaveapointtoanyjokeor exampleyouuse.Everythingyousayhastoin-
doctrinatethepaneltokeepanopenmind,not rushtojudgment,etc.Alwaysremembertomake sureyouworkinyourcasethemeandthedefense’swayofviewingtheevidenceinyourcase.
Andrew Froelich
BeConfident
…oratleastfakeit.Letthejurorsknowthatyou areconfidenttheywillseethingsyourway.Ifyou aren’tconfidentspeaking,that’sok—butatleast fakeconfidencebecauseifyoudon’tbelievein yourself,yourjurywon’teither.
• StartattheBeginning
o Focusonthe1strowofjurors.
o The smaller the number, the more answersyouneed—keepgoingbacktothestrike zoneformoreanswers.
o Ifyougetaloudoneintheback,bepolite butmakesureyouaskquestionsofthefirstjurors onthepanel.
• Prepareandgetyourthemeoutearlyandoften.
o Bepreparedtorunoutoftime.Makesure youaddressyourdefense(s)earlysothatyoumake suretogettoit.
• FindYOURStrikesforCause.
o Findjurorswhocan’tfollowthelawYOU needthemtofollow.Theseareunlimitedstrikes, andyouneedtoeliminateasmanybadjurorsas youcan.You’relimitedonperemptorystrikes.
o Keep a copy of CCP Art. 35.16. REASONS FOR CHALLENGE FOR CAUSE anduseit.
• FocusonEliminatingBadJurors,NotFinding Friends.
o Itfeelsnaturaltofindafriendlyjurorto helpbringpeopletoyourside—tohavepeople agreewithyouisapsychologicalTRAPinVoir Direandfeelscounterintuitive!
o YourquestionsshouldNOTbeidentifyingtheProsecutor’speremptorystrikes!YourVoir DireshouldbedesignedtofindYOURstrikesfor cause!
o Hidethefriendlyjurorssotheotherside can’tlearnanythingusefulfromyourVoirDire.
• When people tell you who they are, LISTENtothem.
o ListentotheStatefindtheirfriendsand followup.“ButyoutoldMr.Prosecutoryoufelt XYZ”
• Haveapreparedfollowupfor“Idon’tknow ifIcansetthataside”or“Idon’tknowifIcanfollowthelaw.”
• “ThankyouforbeinghonestJuror#6,but rememberthatoathwetalkedabout?Thejudgeis gonnaswearyouinandthenit’llbetoolate.Ifyou haveANYhesitationthatyoucanfollowthelaw, youneedtotellthejudgenowsowecanbeabsolutelysurethatweallhaveafairjury.“Don’tlet themendananswerwith“…butIcanbefair.”
o “Ihearwhatyou’resayingJuror#15,but ifyouweresittinginMr.Innocent’schair,would
youwantyouonthejury?”
o Don’tsettleforaperemptorystrikewhen youcangetastrikeforcause.
• Scaledquestions—thisallowsyoutoquickly getsomethingfromeveryone.Anddon’tbeafraid tofollowuptoestablishachallengeforcause.
• Asktheclient!Ifyouareonthefenceabouta juror,lettheclientmakethecall.
o Themoreyourclienttakesownershipof his/hercase,themoretheyfeelheard.Remember thisisHIS/HERlife,notours.
Roland Garcia
1Federal and State voir dires are two totally differentgames.Evenifyou’veconducted200+ statevoirdires,nonewillbelikethevoirdireyou getinfederal.Prepareforit.
2. Youdon’tgetitifyoudon’task.
3. Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 24 (a)(1)says“thecourtmayexamineprospectivejurorsormaypermittheattorneysforthepartiesto doso.”Bydefault,theCourtwillconductvoir dire.Ifyouwantashotattalkingtothejurybefore the Government’s opening statement, you needtoask!
4. Keepitshort.IftheCourtallowsanyattorney-ledvoirdire,itwillbeforafewprecious minutes. Dispense with the introductions and small talk. For example, if your defense is no knowledgeofthedrugsinyourclient’svehicle, thefirstwordsoutofyourmouthshouldbesomethinglike:“Anyoneeverborrowacar?Beforeyou gotbehindthewheel,youdidn’tlookunderthe cardidyou?”
5. Haveaclear,concisetheoryofyourcase. Useyourvoirdiremotionsandproposedquestionstogetyourtheoryoutandtoadvanceit.
6. Writtenproposedvoirdire.Thecourtwill require you to file proposed written voir dire
questions.Filethem!Keepinmind,thesequestionswillmostlikelybereadbythejudge.The judgemaysummarize,truncate,orrewordyour questions.Makesureyougetyourdefensivetheoriesintheseproposedquestions.Knowyourproposedjuryinstructionsandincorporateanydefensivetheoriesoraffirmativedefensesintoyourvoir dire.Usethisinastrategicway.
7. Requestearlyaccesstothevenirelist.Unlikestatecourt,thefederalcourtwillhavethelist ofpotentialjurorswellbeforethetrialdate.ConferwiththeAUSAandfileanUnopposedMotion toAccessJurorQuestionnairesandaskfortheinformationthecourtgetsintheJurorQuestionnaireForm.
8. Knowyourdeadlines!Knowyourschedulingdeadlines.Mostcourtswillgiveadeadline forproposedvoirdirequestions.Don’tmissyour chanceatgettingyourtheorytothevenirebecauseyoumissedadeadline.
9. Keepfighting.
10. Keepfighting!
[With input from Alfredo Villarreal]
Arlene M. Gay
I
hear the phrase “use your common sense” in nearlyeveryVoirDire,notonlybytheprosecutorbutalsobytheJudge.Thatphraseislikefingernailsonachalkboardtome.Usingyourcommon sense does not require critical thinking. Commonsenseisagutfeeling,relyingonstereo types,andinsomecases,relyingonbiasandprejudice. Common sense is superficial knowledge basedonhabit;itisnottheresultofgreatreflection.Whydoprosecutorsusethephrase“useyour commonsense?”Ibelieveitisawaytohavethe jurysubstitutecommonsenseforproofbeyonda reasonable doubt. Thereby lowering the State’s burdenofproof.Thereisnodefinitionofreasonabledoubt,butproofbasedoncommonsenseis notit.
Weallhavethatstairstepchartoftheburdensof proof.Goingoverthedifferentburdensofproofis importantandiswhatweallshouldbedoing.Demystifyingreasonabledoubtisalwaysmygoalby getting the jury to understand that reasonable doubtoccursinourdailylives.Iusetheexample oflockingthefrontdoor.ItellthejurythatIquestionmyselfonwhetherIlockedthedoorandeven havedrivenoffonlytoturnaroundtochecktosee ifthedoorislocked.IexplainthatonedayIleftas usualanddoubtedthatIlockedthefrontdoor,but Ididn’tgobacktochecktoseeifitwasinfact locked.WhenIarrivedhomeafterworkthedoor wasopen.Nothinghadhappenedandmytwo Labsweresafelysleepinginmybed,butIhada reasonabledoubtandIfailedtoremoveit.Iaskthe jurorswhattheirreasonabledoubtintheirdaily lifeis.ThenIexplainthat,asappliedtoacriminal case,theStateisrequiredtoremovereasonable doubt,whichtakesactionbytheState.Itrequires theStatetobringforthcredibleevidenceandremoveallpossiblereasonabledoubt.Iftheydonot remove all possible reasonable doubt, then the clientisnotguilty.
Iexplaintothejurythattheroleofajuroristo criticallythinkabouttheevidence.TheJudgeuses criticalthinkingwhenshemakesdecisionsinher court.InatrialJurorstakeontheroleofthejudges ofthefactandyourroleistocriticallythinkabout the evidence. Critical thinking requires you to lookateverywitnessanddeterminewhetherto believeawitnessornot.Furtheritrequiresyouto considerwhatevidenceismissing,whytherewas asubstandardinvestigation,andwhatliesanddeceptions were used by law enforcement to get yourclienttotalk.Commonsenseapproachlets theStateoffthehookwhenthereisaproblem withevidence.Criticalthinkingrequiresyouto lookatmotive.Motivejustmeans“reason.”The StatealwaystellsthejuryinVoirDirethattheydo nothavetoprovemotive.Butifyouarecritically lookingatthecaseyouwanttoknowthereason thewitnessistestifyingthewaytheyareandwhy theincidenthappened.InVoirDiregetthejury toagreethatmotiveisimportant.
Jurorsthatcriticallythink,inmyopinion,make thebestjurors.Tellyourjurypanelthatyouare lookingforjurorswhowillcriticallythinkabout theevidenceinthecase.Thinkingcritically,versuscommonsense,takeseffortandintentionality. Itsfruitsarejustice.DonotlettheStateconvince thejurytousetheircommonsensetherebyignoringproofbeyondallpossiblereasonabledoubt.
Steven Gilmore
1Use the juror questionnaire to motivate the panelintosharingmoreinformation
a. Ialwaysfilloutmyowncopyofthemodel jurorquestionnairecreatedbytheOfficeofCourt Administration(https://www.txcourts.gov/media/ 1445020/model-jury-summons-questionnaire. pdf)andshowittothepanel.I’llrattleoffafewof myanswersandthenaskthejurywhetheranyone believes the information on that questionnaire helpsmedecidewhetheranyofthemaretheright jurorsfor,say,achildsexcase.Isitusefulforme toknowthattheirspouseisashiftmanagerat Wendy’soraretiredValeroexecutive?
2. TalkaboutwhatyoulearnedfromState’s voirdire
a. TheState’svoirdireisusuallymorerigid anddrythanmypresentation,andthepanelisalmostalwaysquieterfortheState.Idon’toften havealotofhelpfulinformationfromthepanel oncetheStatefinishes.I’llillustratethatpointby showingthepanelmyseatingchartandpointout howfewnotesItookduringtheState’svoirdire. I think this helps prospective jurors understand that they have important information to share aboutthemselvesandempowersthemtobeactive participantsinyourvoirdire.IftheStatedidget thepaneltalking,considerwhatquestionsorissueswereeffectivefortheState.Findawaytoreframetheiranalogiesandloopsomeoftheresponsestheyreceivedtootherprospectivejurors.
3. Getyourfearsoutearly
a. Makealistofyourfearsthatareuniquefor thattrial.Yourfearsshouldbethetypesofevidenceorissuesthejurymayhearthatwouldmake apersonleaptoanegativeconclusionaboutyour client.Whetherit’scriminalhistory,gangaffiliation, graphic images, racist language, or com-
pellingchildtestimony—youmustgetthepanel talkingaboutthisstuffattheoutset,especiallyif yourfearselicitaresponsethatsupportsachallengeforcause.
4. Humanizeyourclient
a. Wehavetheluxury—sometimesacurse— ofrepresentinganactualperson.Whileyourfears maydemonstratefactsthatmakeyourclientappeardifferentfromthevenirepersons,youshould alsotalkaboutthepartsofyourclient’slifethat help draw similarities between the client and prospectivejurorsand/ortheirlovedones.
5. Focusmoreonillustrationovereducation
a. It’s not possible to give a panel of 60+ strangersameaningfullegaleducationinanhour orless.Youwon’tgetmuchmileageoutofyour panelbysimplyprojectingastatuteandreading fromtheCode.Instead,useanalogiesandrealworldexamplestoillustrateyourdefensivetheories.Doingsowillgetthepaneltalkingandshould maketheclient’spositionmorerelatable.Thiswill becrucialwhenthetimecomestoexplainsomethinglikeaself-defenseoraccomplice-witnessinstructioninclosing.
6. Usescaledquestionstominedatafroma coldpanel
a. Scaledquestionsareagreatwaytoovercome a less-than forthcoming panel. I’ll ask enoughequallyweighedscaledquestions(atleast 3or4)toplugandadduptheirresponsesintoa spreadsheet.Fromthosenumericanswers,you’ll havequantifiabledataabouttheprospectivejurors’ opinionsandbeliefstocreateanoverallscorefor eachpersonontheissuesthathurtorhelpyour case.Thisdataisincrediblyhelpfulwhenmaking closecallsonstrikes.Yourscaledquestionscan
alsobeweighedtodevelopchallengesforcause.
7. Neverpickalone
a. JuryselectionisthepartoftrialIenjoythe most,butI’dfeelverydifferentlyaboutitifIwas goingatitalone.Formetobeeffective,Ihaveto feelactivelyengagedwiththepanel.Ican’tdothat wellifI’mslowingthingsdowntotakenotes. Thatwouldwastewhatpreciouslittletimethat couldhaveotherwisebeenusedtoelicitmoreresponses from the panel. There are dozens of SACDLAmembersinthecourthouseeverysingle day,nearlyallofwhomwouldbeenthusiasticto beanotetakerandhelpwithvoirdire.Alwaysbe willingtoacceptandaskforhelp.
8. Don’tbeafraidofdiscussingpoliticaland culturalissues
a. Youcanlearnalotaboutaprospectivejurorbyaskingthemwheretheygettheirnewsand entertainment,ortowhichcharitiesandcauses they support. Consider a sexual assault trial: Wouldn’tyouwanttoknowwhetheryourpanel membersaredonatingmoneytoRAINNorthe
Battered Women’s Shelter? Are they watching made-for-TVmoviesontheLifetimeNetwork? Questionslikethesehelpyoulearnhowpotential jurorsmayfeelaboutyourissueswithouthaving toaskthemdirectly.
9. Spendtimeon“neutraljurors”
a. Fewonthepanelmayopenlyadmitthat they’realreadysolidlyinfavoroftheState.Inmy experience,mostjurorswanttobelievethatthey areneutralandfavorneitherside.Butthepresumptionofinnocenceisn’tneutral.Potentialjurorswhopersistintheirneutralitymaybechallengedforcauseundertherightcircumstances.
10. Preserving error on denial of challenge forcause
IftheCourtdeniesachallengeforcauseonJuror X,youmustuseaperemptorychallengeonthat juror,andrequestanadditionalperemptorystrike. YoumustalsoassertthatyouwouldhaveusedJurorX’sstrikeonJurorY,whowasseatedand sworn, if you had not been forced to use a peremptorystrikeonJurorX.
Jessica Gonzalez
1Knowyourcaseanddefenses. Inthegeneral senseandspecifictoyourevidence.Whileyou can'tdiscusstheevidenceorfactsofthecase,Itry togetascloseaspossibleinmyhypotheticals;I walkuptothatfinelineanddanceonit. Getthe jurorstodiscussissuesyouexpecttoencounter duringthetrial. Andifyoudon'tknowyourcase beforeyoustandinfrontofthepanel,youarealreadylosingthegame.
2. Keep a master power point template of voirdireslides.Noneedtoreinventthewheelfor eachvoirdireyoudo. Ialwaysaddnewslidesto mypowerpointasIthinkofthings,andIstart
with that master template and remove slides I don'tneed.
3. Don'tdiscussissuesthatwon'tcomeupin yourcase. Mostjurorsarenotlegalexpertsand youdonotneedtoeducatethemiftheissueisnot relevanttoyourcase.
4. K.I.S.S. Whileyoudonotwanttotalk down to the panel, don't go high level either. Keepyourhypostothingspeopleseeordoineverydaylife.
5. Getcomfortableinyourhypotheticalsand questions.Ifrequentlytestouthyposonfriendsor
family(nonlawyers)toseeifIgetmypointacross. Iftheydon'tgetit,Ipracticereframingtheissue indifferentways.
6. Ifyougetacoldpanel,startcallingnames/ numbers. Makesureyougeteverypersononthat paneltosayatleastonething. Andyouneedto listen. Whileitisveryimportanttoeducatethe jurorstothelaw,thisisnotyourtimetoshine. Youneedtoaskquestionstogettotheanswers.
7. Bereadytothinkonyourfeetwiththat onejuror. Thereisalwaysone. Maybeyou'llsee themwhentheyaretalkingwiththeprosecutor. Ormaybeitwon'tbethatbad. Becausewhenit's bad,it'srealbad. Learnhowtoshutdownthejurorandpivotawayfromthemwithoutseeming rude.
8. Ifyoudojuryselectioncorrectly,itshould beaconversation. Getasolid2ndchairtotake notessoyoucanfocusonthisdiscussion.Actively listen.Lookjurorsintheeye.Respectajuror's opinion even if it's opposite your position but twisttheiranswersinawaytoemphasizeyour point.
19. Beyourself. Therearealotofgreatattorneysgivingsolidadviceinthisissueandatour CLEs. Ialwaystrynewideasbutdon'tfeellike youhavetodosomethingbecauseitworkedfor anotherattorney. Youhavetobeconfidentand comfortablewithhowyoupresentyourcaseand ifatipdoesn'tworkforyou,changeituntilit does.
10. Whoisontrialtoday?THESTATEOF TEXAS. Thejurorsarenottheretojudgeyour client'sactions,theyarethereforthesolepurpose ofdecidingwhethertheStateprovedtheircase beyondareasonabledoubt. I'veexplainedpresumptionofinnocenceandBRDineveryvoir direIdid,butuntilIframedtheissuewiththis simple question and answer, I never felt like I nailedit. ThiswasatipIgotfromacolleaguein Houston,andImadeitmyownwithaddingGIFs ofFamilyFeudandLaw&Orderinmypower point. 9trialsoutof10whenIaskedwhowason trialtoday,thejurorssaidmyclient.Ireemphasize theState'sburdenandyoucanseetheconnection formingintheirheads.
Jason Goss
Jurorsopenuptoyouwhenyouopenupto them.Humaninteractiontendstogobyareciprocalprinciple,“yougetwhatyougive”.When I’maskingthemtotellmehonestlyhowtheyfeel, ItellthemhonestlyhowIfeelfirst.
2. Usefriendsandfamilyascompetingexamples.Forinstance,ifI’mwantingtoknowhow apanelfeelsaboutthepurposeofthejusticesystem:[PunishmentorRehabilitation]Itellthem thatmydadisapunishmentpersonandmymom isrehabilitationperson(whicharebothtrue)and giveexamplesofhoweachofthemthinkabout thoseissues.Thisallowsfortwothings:
(1) Jurorsknowthatthereisn’ta“rightanswer”thatI’mlookingforbecausepeopleIpersonallylovecanbeeitherandit’sokaywithme.
(2) Itstartstosubtlyconnectthemandtheir answerstomyfamily,(“I’mmorelikeyourdad, I’m more like your mom”) which helps to lay foundationforapersonalconnection.
3. WhenIhaveajurorwhowon’tcommitto abiasagainstmyclienteventhoughI’msurethey haveone(“IthinkImightnotbefair,butIwould hopeIcould”)Ialwayssay“Thewayyoushould consideritislikethis:youdon’tknowmyclient
sittinghere,butimagineifitwassomeoneyou lovedorcaredaboutinthatchair,fightingagainst these allegations. In that situation, would you wantajurorwhofeelslikeyoufeeldecidingyour lovedone’scase?”Thisusuallyreframeshowthey feelandonceit’sputtothemthisway,Iusually getthemtosay,“NoIwouldn’twantthat.”And thentheywillsaytheywouldn’tbeabletoput asidetheirfeelingsandrenderafairverdict.You canalsodothistothewholegroupatthebeginningtopreventvacillatorslateron.
4. Forsexcasesthatyouhaveadecentshot towinandwhereitispossibletogetprobation fromajury,gotothejuryforpunishment.Itell myclientsthatwearen’tdoingthisbecauseIthink thejurywillactuallygiveprobation,oreventhat they’llbebetteronsentencingthanajudge.We’re doingthistostrike40%ofthepanelthatcan’tgive probationonasexcase.Iwillroutinelyknockout 25-35peopleona75personpanelthatcannot giveprobationandthosearethepeoplethatwould haveconvictedonguiltinnocence.Thisallows your10peremptorystrikestoreallyhaveimpact.
5. Focusonchallengesforcauseandlearn howtocommit.Crafttwoorthreequestionsfor thevoirdiredesignedtogetjurorsstruckforcause andthinkhardabouthowyouwilllockinacommitment.Mystandardcommitmentlocktojurors afterthey’veraisedtheircardsaboutanissuethat wouldgetthemforcauseis:
“thisisacloselyheldfeeling/beliefthatyouhad whenyoucameinhere,you’llhaveitwhenyou walkoutthesedoors,thisiswhoyouareasaperson and how you feel and there’s nothing any lawyerorjudgeisgoingtosaytochangeyour mindthatyou…(wouldrequireclienttotestify, can’tbefairbasedonyourpersonalexperience, couldn’tconsiderprobationonacase,etc.),right?”
Youwanttoinoculatethemfromtheinevitable prosecutororjudgethattriestoflipthemback.
Whentheprosecutorgoes“butyoucanfollowthe law,right?”youcanremindthemthattheyalready said they can’t and nobody is going to changethat.
6. Beaprosecutorwhenyourclientneeds youtobe:thisisharderforlawyerswhohaven’t practicedonbothsides,butremember,Ifyouhave aselfdefensecase,youareprosecutingthecomplainant. You’re proving aggressive or violent conductagainstyourclient,sodoyourvoirdire accordingly.Talklikeaprosecutorwhenyoutalk abouthowunreasonablethecomplainant’sactions were.But…nevergiveupthefactthattheState hastheburdentoproveyourclientDIDN’Tact inselfdefense.
7. Whenindoubt,neverstrikeanengineer oraprofessororalawyer.Theprosecutorswill probablydoitanyway,andanyonethatwilllook thatfarintotheirownbellybuttonisgoodfordefense.Useyourpreciousstrikeonsomeoneelse.
8. Squirrels are good—the jurors that will fightwithyouwillfightwithanyone,andyou wantjurorsthatdon’tacceptanythingfromanyone,becausethosejurorswillacquityourclientor helptohangajury.Don’tpickonthesquirrels thattheprosecutionidentifies,becausethat’llhelp showtheprosecutionwhotheothersquirrelsare andmakeiteasierfortheprosecutorstoexercise theirstrikes.Leaveyoursquirrelsbe.Butifyou findaState’sKnight(crazylaw-and-order-victim-weirdowhojustcametoconvictsomebody), usethemtofindalltheotherState’sKnightsby askingwhoagreeswiththeir[ridiculous]positions.OneState’sKnightcankillyourcaseand sometimesyourclient.Payattentiontowhatthey sayandhowtheysayit,andgivetherestofthe panelawelcomingenvironmenttoagree.(“Yes,I understandsomepeoplefeelthatway,whoelse agreeswiththat?”)sothatyoucanidentifyand eliminatethem.
9. WhenIwasayoungprosecutor,IpracticedinfrontofajudgeforyearsthatIlovedand respected.Hewasalongtimedefenselawyerand hetoldmeaboutatimehewastryingafederal caseandthejudgeonlygavehim10minutesfor voirdire.Iaskedhim,“whatdidyouuseyourtime on?” and he immediately said, “Reasonable Doubt.”Asa(then)careerprosecutor,Ithought thatwasstrangebecauseIdidn’tseewhyitwasso important.Asadefenselawyer,Iunderstandcompletely:ReasonableDoubtisoursingularweapon anditwillwinwhenwinningseemsimpossible. Thewayyoutalkaboutreasonabledoubtinvoir direhastobemorethan“thisisprobablecause, thisispreponderance,thisisclearandconvincing.”Thewayyoutalkaboutreasonabledoubtin voirdireisyousay,“Attheendofthiscase,you mightthink‘he’sprobablyguilty,orIamclearly convincedheisguilty’andthatmeansyouhaveto votenotguilty.Thisishardtodobecauseeverything you’ve known in your life before you walkedintothiscourtroomis‘iftheyprobablydid itthentheydidit.’…That’snotwhatyoudo here,though…Beyondareasonabledoubtmeans
thatyouhavetobesosurethatyou’dbewillingto make the most important decision you’ve ever madeinyourlifebasedonhowsureyouare.”I thenusethepullingtheplugexample…”ifadoctortellsyouthatsomeoneyouloveonlifesupport isn’tcomingbackandit’stimetopulltheplug, howsuredoyouhavetobebeforeyoudoit?Ifthe doctorsays‘heorsheisPROBABLYnotcoming back’thenyou’reDEFINITELYnotpullingthe plug.IftheStateproveshe’sPROBABLYguilty oftheallegationsthenyou’reDEFINITELYnot convictinghim.Youhavetobethemostcertain you’veeverbeenaboutanythinginyourlife,becauseofwhatyourdecisiondoestohislife.”
10. Everythingisbestguessandprobability. Bythetimeacasegetstovoirdire,I’vetoldmy clientthatit’sallagamble,soasthelawyeryou can’t beat yourself up about making your best guessaboutwhoshouldbeandnotbeinthejury. It’swhatalltrialsare...gettingridofthegarbage andconvincingtheleftovers.
Michael C. Gross
1Be familiar with the relevant case law and statutesonvoirdire.Generalquestionsdonot complywithdefensecounsel’sdutytoensurethat thevenirepersonisunbiased. Morgan v. Illinois, 504 U.S. 719, 729 (1992). “Canyoufollowthelaw,” “Youcanbefair,can’tyou,”and,“Youcanfollow thecourt’sinstructions,can’tyou,”areinsufficient toferretoutbiasfromavenireperson. Id.General questionsareunableto“detectthosejurorswith viewspreventingorsubstantiallyimpairingtheir dutiesinaccordancewiththeirinstructionsunder oath.” Id. at 734-735. Reviewanduse Standefer v. State, 59 S.W.3d 177 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) for commitment questions and when to use them; Davis v. State, 349 S.W.3d 517 (Tex. Crim. App.
2011) forbeingallowedtoexplorethevenirepersons’philosophiesontherelevantareasofyour case;and Contreras v. State, 440 S.W.3d 85 (Tex. App. - Waco 2012, pet. dism’d) fortherighttoquestionsthevenirepersonsaboutthedifferentburdensofprooftocomparetobeyondareasonable doubt. I always use a chart to distinguish the differentburdensofproofandincludethestatutorydefinitionofclearandconvincingevidence, verbatim, from Tex. Fam. Code Section 101.007: “‘Clearandconvincingevidence’”meansthemeasureordegreeofproofthatwillproduceinthe mindofthetrieroffactafirmbelieforconviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established.”Thisstatuteallowsustoshowthe
venirepanelastrongburdenofproofdefinition andremindthemthatitisstillnotashighaburden asbeyondareasonabledoubt.
2. Haveachartthatallowsyoutorecordthe namesofthevenirepersons,theirrace,religion, gender, occupation, address, prior jury service, andotherinformation.Thischartwillhelpyou makeanyBatsonchallenges,challengesforcause, andanyreasonsforperemptories.Thischartwill alsohelpyourinvestigatorfindthejurorsposttrialshouldamotionfornewtrialbenecessary.
3. Askthevenirepanel,whoonthepanel cameintocourtandthought,“IwonderwhatJoe (client)iswrongfullyaccusedof?”Thisgetsthe paneltostartthinkingaboutthepresumptionof innocenceascontrastedtomostofthemthinking Joemusthavedonesomething.Askthepanelwhy the presumption of innocence is important enoughtobeincludedintheconstitution.Give themanexamplesuchas,“Ifpersonxisaloneina roomwithachildforfifteenminutesand,when anotheradultenterstheroom,thechildsaysperson x touched me inappropriately, how would personxshowthatclaimbychildxisuntrue?”
4. Ask the panel what reasonable doubt meanstothem.Followupthisquestionbyasking thepaneltogiveexamplesofatimetheyhada reasonabledoubtaboutsomething.Followupthis question with the 1980's poison laced Tylenol storyandthenaskthemiftheywouldgivetheir childduringthattimeaTylenolpilloutofabag of100pills,orabagof50pills,orabagof25pills, orabagof5pillsgivenoneofthepillsmightbe laced with poison. Get the panel talking about howthisisareasonabledoubt.
5. Ifyourcaseinvolvesasinglewitnesssuch asapoliceofficerinaDWIorachildinasexcase, askwhomonthepanelwould“automatically”believeapoliceofficer(orchild)underoathasopposedtootherwitnesses.Ifavenirepersonsays
theydonotbelieveanofficer(orchild)wouldtell afalsehoodonthewitnessstandaftertakingan oath,thatvenirepersonischallengeableforcause. Hernandez v. State, 563 S.W.2d 947 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978). You must get rid of these types of venirepersonstohaveanyhopeofwinningyour case.Followupthesequestionswithquestions,in anappropriatecase,aboutwhydotheythinka childwouldcomeintocourtandlieaboutbeing sexually assaulted. Give them examples of such cases,suchastheSanAntonioFourwomenwho were wrongfully convicted of sex assault of a child.Askthepanelhowthishappens.
6. Questionthevenireaboutifthenatureof thechargescreatesanuncomfortablereactionand, ifso,why.Determineiftheyhaveanyreligious, moral,orethicalproblemsinjudginganotherpersonand,ifso,why.Determineiftheyhaveever beenavictimofasimilarcrimeasintheallegationsinyourcase.Determineiftheyhaveever beenwrongfullyaccusedofsuchallegations.Determine if they have friends/relatives who are prosecutorsorlawenforcementandifthepanel has had any positive/negative experiences with policeorattorneys.Ifyouhaveexperts,determine ifthepanelhashadanydealingswithsuchexperts (psychologists,etc.)andtheirthoughtsaboutsuch experts.Determineifthepanelisactiveintheir communitywithneighborhoodwatchesorsimilar groups or if they are active/support groups aversetoyourcasesuchasMADD,SADD,etc.
7. Askthepanelabouttheirthoughtsonthe defenseapplicableinyourcasewithoutgoinginto thefactsofyourcase.Forexample,ifyouarerelyingupontheparent-childdefenseof§9.61ofthe TexasPenalCode,haveaPowerPointslidethat laysoutthisdefenseverbatimsuchas,“Theuseof force, but not deadly force, against a child youngerthan18yearsisjustified:
(1) iftheactoristhechild’sparentorstepparentorisactinginlocoparentistothechild;and
(2) whenandtothedegreetheactorreasonablybelievestheforceisnecessarytodisciplinethe childortosafeguardorpromotehiswelfare.”Ask thepanelwhodisagreeswiththislawandwhat thepanelthinksaboutthislaw.Ifyoudonothave 12jurorswhounderstandandagreewithyourdefense,youwillnotwinyourcase.
8. Askthepanelifanyoneknowsthepotentialwitnesses,anyoneelseonthepanel,theattorneys,yourclient,thebailiffsorjudge.Askthe paneliftheyarefamiliarwiththelocationofthe allegedincidentand,ifso,how.Askthepanelif theyarefamiliarwithanyagenciesinvolvedinthe case.
9. Ifyouaregoingtothejuryforpunishment,askthejudgetonottellthevenirethatyou filedamotionforthejurytodopunishmentand, instead,justaskthepanelaboutpunishment.Tell thejuryabouttherangeofpunishmentand,ifapplicable,thelawofprobation.Askthejurytheir thoughtsonprobationandwhethertheythinkit iseasyorhard.Youcanthentellthejuryjusthow
onerousaretheconditionsofprobation.Ensure the panel is open to all possibilities regarding punishment.
10. Askthepanelifanyoneis“notinneutral atthispoint.”FollowupthisquestionwithaPowerPointslidethatsetsoutverbatimthelanguagein Art.35.16(a)(10)oftheCodeofCriminalProcedure:“Thatfromhearsay,orotherwise,thereisestablishedinthemindofthejurorsuchaconclusionastotheguiltorinnocenceofthedefendant aswouldinfluencethejurorinfindingaverdict... whether,inthejuror’sopinion,theconclusionso establishedwillinfluencethejuror’sverdict.”You willbesurprisedhowmanytimesthisquestionis answered“yes.”Anaffirmativeanswerrequiresthe jurorbedischargedwithoutfurtherquestionsby eitherpartyorthecourt.Followupthisquestion byaskingthepaneliftheywanttotellyousomethingbeforeyousitdownandconcludeyourvoir dire.Thereareoftenimportantthingsthatwere notcoveredwiththepanelthatsomevenirepersonswanttobringtoyourattention.
Albert M. Gutierrez
Allpersonsarepresumedtobeinnocentandno personmaybeconvictedofanoffenseunless eachelementoftheoffenseisprovedbeyonda reasonabledoubt.Thefactthathehasbeenarrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise chargedwith,theoffensegivesrisetonoinference ofguiltathistrial. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.03 (West)
Itisalwaysacomfortwalkingintoacriminaltrial knowing that the presumption of innocence reignstrueforalljurors.Ifyoubelievethat,thenI haveaGeorgeStraitsongI’dliketoplayforyou. Embracethejurorthatknowsitallandtriesto sinkyourcaseatjuryselection.Donotbeafraidof
thefollowup.Oncethejurorexpressestheirfeelingsaskifanyoneelseagreeswiththem.
Ioffertwoexamplesformypoint:
My19yearoldclientwaschargedwithaggravatedsexualassaultofachild—heallegedlyhadsex witha13yearold.Myclienthadateardroptattoo andcametotrialwithhisbestgoatee.Averynice 60plusyearoldladyinthefirst10jurorsfeltcompelledtopointoutthatsheknowsthistypeofperson:gangmemberwithtattoosandgoateesthat goaroundrapingvirgins.Unsurewhattosayto her,Ijustwentwithitandpointedtomytrial partnerwhoalsohadagoateeandaskedherifshe
was talking about my partner. The jury had a goodlaughandthenicelady,mortified,saidno, no,no,helookslikeaniceboy.Iaskedthejurors ifanyoneelsehadthesamefeelings.Nooneraised theirhand.Posttrial,JudgeAngelinitoldusthat whenthejurylaughed,atthatmomentheknew itwouldbenotguilty.
Thesecondexamplecomesfromamurdertrial. Myclienthadtattoosoverhisentirefaceandhead andinsistedonappearingintrialwithhishead shaved.Mymaintheoryattrialwasthatlawenforcementdidnotlikethedeceasedandfigured theycouldkillseveralbirdswithonestoneand threwmyclientinwithseveralco-defendants.Juror59inthefirsttrialusedtoworkasaguardin oneoftheStateprisons.Heraisedhishandand saidhehadsomethingtosay.Ilethim.Inshort,he saidthatheknewwhatallthosetattoosmean, knewwheremyclienthadbeen,andtherefore
Eknew my client was guilty. In defense of our panel,manyjurorshadrolledtheireyes.Igave himsomekudosandmadeageneralstatementof whatIthoughthistraininginlawenforcement was,includingdecipheringtattoos,towhichhe agreed.WhenIsuggestedthathistrainingwasso goodthathewasabletosolvethecrimewithout everhearingonefact,hepulledbackabitand agreedfactswouldbehelpful.Muchofthejury panellaughed.Iaskedifanyoneagreedwithour nicecorrectionsofficerthatmyclient’sguiltwas writtenalloverhisface—notonehand.Hungjury inthattrial,notguiltyinthesecond.
Bepreparedanddonotgetflustered.Takethese momentsasgiftstoremoveotherjurorsandto showabsurdityinhowsomepeoplethink.Always bepolitewhenexposingthejurorwhomaybe helpingyourcase.
Patrick Hancock
ffectivetimemanagementduringjuryselectioniscrucialasmoreandmorejudgesintoday’scourtsystemadopta30minutelimitationon voirdire.Everyminuteandsecondcounts.With solittletimetoeducatethejurorsonthelaworto formopinionsonprospectivejurors,youmustact decisively,especiallywhendealingwithviolent felonyoffenses.Thereisonlyoneactiontotake: jettisonthestandarddefensejuryselectionroutine andgostraighttostriking“KillerJurors”forcause.
Whatisa“KillerJuror,”onemightask?
Merriam-WebsterDictionary:killerjuror(noun); plural:killerjurors
Definition:ajurorthatoriginatedintheUnited Statesasanaccidentalhybridbetweenanaggressivejurorandapreviouslyestablishedreasonable jurorthathasspreadintothesouthernmostU.S.
bybreedingwithlocaljurorsproducinghybrid populations.
Killerjurors,ifallowedonthepanel,willconvict yourclientandinmostcasesassessaharshpunishment.Theymustbeidentifiedquicklyandremovedforcauseinstantly.Thebestpracticeto identify“killerjurors”istohaveafewquestions prepreparedinadvanceofyourvoirdirethatwill revealthejuror’skillertraits,mainlytheirinability tobefairandimpartialtothedefendant,byforcingthemtoconfronttheessentialnatureofthe charges.Onceyouhaveidentifiedthe“killerjuror,”usethekillertraitarticulatedbythejuror himself and commit him to admitting that he wouldbeunabletorenderatrueverdictbasedon thelawandtheevidence.Withsuccessfulremoval ofonekillerjuror,therestofthehiveissureto follow.
SampleVoirDireNotes:SexualAssaultCase
BriefIntroduction(5minutesmaximum):
Thankthepanelfortheirservice.
Explaintheroleofajurorassolefactfinderinthis case.Stressthepowerofasittingjurorandthe weightoftheirdecisionoveranotherperson’slife.
Suchpowerbringsgreatjurorresponsibility.Potentialjurorsmustbemadetointerrogatewhether ornottheycanbefairandimpartialgiventhe contextofthisparticularcase,soinvitethemtoask ifthisistherightcaseforthemtositasajuror.
QuestiontoIdentifyKillerJurors:
Raiseyourhand,ifyouoranymemberofyour familyorclosefriendhaseverbeenavictimof sexualabuse?
Go back to each juror individually who raised theirhandandmakeabriefinquiry.Suchquestioningempowersthejurortoexpressanybiasor
prejudicetheymayfeeltowardsthistypeofcase. Letthejurorknowthatitishonorabletobowout fromserviceifimpartialityisunlikely,andthat suchcasesmaynotbetherightforthemtoserve asjurors.Thislineofquestioningcanbetailored tofitthecontoursofanyviolentcrime.
Knockout:
Sharethejuryoathwiththekillerjuror-“youwill atrueverdictrenderaccordingtothelawandthe evidence.”
Question:Areyoutellingme,Mr.KillerJuror, thatyouwouldbeunabletosetasideyourown knowledge or experience and render a verdict basedonthelawandevidencepresentedtoyouin thiscase?
“Yessir.”
ZAP!
Bee-lieve.
Amanda I. Hernandez
Forsome(likeme),voirdirecanbethemostintimidatingpartofajurytrial.Carefulpreparationandpracticinggoodhabitscanbothhelpyou feelmoreateaseandhelpyoutode-selectthe people who will never be on your and your client’steam.Thefollowingaremytoptentipsto considerwhenpickingajury.
1. Beprepared.InthewordsofScarfrom Disney’sTheLionKing:“BEPREPARED”.
Tobepreparedfortrial(andjuryselection),you mustknowyourcaseinsideandout.Understand thefacts,theevidence,andanylegalissuesordefensesthatmayarise.Thiswillhelpyouformulate
questionsforthejurypoolandfocusonimportant issuesspecifictoeachtrial.Knowthecourtroom, thetechnology,yourjudge,thecourtstaff,anylocalrules,andanytimelimitations.
2. CovertheBasics.Oneofmymentorstold methatjuryselectionisliketeachingaclass,and youhavetokeepyourstudentsengaged.While everycaseisdifferent,certaintopicsshouldalways becoveredsothatyoucanteachthejurypool about important issues while again identifying thosewhowillneverbeonyourteam.Thebasics includethepresumptionofinnocence,biasand prejudice, the state’s burden of proof, Fifth Amendment rights, elements of the offense
charged,viewsoflawenforcement,andtheability todeliberatefairly.Ifthejuryistodecidepunishment,coverthepunishmentrangeaswell.
3. Build Rapport. At a past TCDLA AdvancedTrialSkillsCourse,theyremindedusof the saying, “show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”Everyonehastheirownstyle,andbeing truetoyourselfwillhelpthejurybetruewithyou. Letthemknowtherearenorightorwronganswers in jury selection. Establish a connection withthejurors,andberespectfulandpoliteabout theirtimeandanswers.Listencarefullyanddon’t arguewithanyone.Trytotalklikeaperson,not alawyer.
4. Don’t Do It Alone. In my opinion, lawyersshouldnotpickajuryalone.Activelylisteningtothejurywhiletakingnotescanbedistracting,andyouriskmissingsomethingimportant.Youdon’tneedanotherlawyertotakegood notes.Youcanutilizeofficestaff,lawclerks,orask afriendtohelpout.Also,haveyourclienttake notesontheirperceptionstohelpyoukeeptrack ofjurors’answers.
5. HumanizeYourClient.Donotreferto yourclientas“thedefendant.”Callthembytheir name.Avoidusingwordslike“defendant(s)”or “victim(s)”duringvoirdire.Instead,usetermslike “citizensaccused”and“complainingwitnesses.”
6. UseaPowerPoint.UsingPowerPointor similarpresentationsoftwarecaneffectivelyget yourmessagesacrosstothejuryandhelpyoustay ontrack.Often,theStatewilluseaPowerPoint presentationduringtheirvoirdire.Notutilizing onecanmakeyouappearlesspreparedandcan causeyoutogoofftrack.
7. UseHypotheticals.Whileyoucannotgo intothefactsofyourcase,presentingsimilarhypothetical scenarios can help gauge how jurors mightreacttosimilarsituationsduringthetrial.
Toavoidobjections,asksomeunrelatedhypotheticals along with ones closer to your fact pattern.
8. KeepGoodNotesonWhotoChallenge forCause:Ifajuroradmitstheycannotbefair, theyshouldbestrickenforcause.Askquestions thatgetthemtoadmitminorprejudicesorpreconceivednotionsfirst,getthemandotherstalkingaboutthoseideas,thenaskthemtoadmitthat becauseofthoseprejudicesorpreconceivednotions,theylikelycannotbefair.Keepnotesonthe issue(e.g.,FifthAmendmentorpresumptionof innocence)soyoucanexplainyourchallengeto theCourt.
9. PayAttentiontoGroupDynamics:Observehowthegroupinteractsandidentifywhois outspoken and who tries not to say anything. Whensomeoneexpressesanopinion,ask,“Who agreeswiththat?”or“Whodisagreeswiththat?”If youneedtogetsomeonequiettotalk,callthem out,“JurornumberX,whatdoyouthinkabout what they just said?” Ask about jurors' backgroundsandtrytoidentifycorevaluesandbeliefs.
10. AskOutright:“Isthereanythingatallthat maypreventyoufrombeingafairjurorinthis case?”Whilethismayseemsilly,somejurorswill raisetheirhands.Also,tellthemthatifitisaprivateanswer,theyarewelcometotellyouandthe StateatthebenchwiththeCourt,andawayfrom theotherjurors.
Joe Hoelscher
1PreparetheJurytoAppreciateYou
Weallknowjurorsgetfrustratedbyobjections, bench conferences, and excessive breaks. Similarly,we’veallseenjurorsreactbadlytoatough lineofquestioning.Explainingwhywedoourjob andwhatitlookslikewhenwedoourjobchanges that.Iexplicitlytellmypanelstoexpectmetoobjectandpressthewitnesses.IexplainthatmylicensecouldbejeopardizedbyanIneffectiveAssistance of Counsel claim from some appellate lawyerifIdon’tA)objectatthe1stmomentIsuspectarulemaybebrokenandB)fullyexplainmy concerntothejudge.Itellthemtherearehundredsofrulesofevidenceandexceptions.Itell them my audience isn’t just the jury, but the judge,second-guessingappellatelawyers,judgmentaljusticesoncourtsofappeals,andtheuptightcivillawyersattheStateBar.ItellthemI’m theONLYlawyerintheroomwhoseabilityto supporttheirfamilyisonthelineiftheyblowan opportunitytoobject.I’mtheONLYlawyerin theroomwhocouldlosetheirlicenseifIfailtoask ahardquestion.Iwillobjectbecauseitismyjob andIcouldlosemyjobifIdon’t.Ifyoumayhave troublesettingasideyourfrustrationatmyobjections,orthedistractionmaykeepyoufromfollowingtheevidence,pleaseraiseyournumber.If Igotoofar,inyourmind,whenquestioninga witnessandthatcouldaffectyourverdict,please raiseyourcard.Ify’allwereaccused,whichofy’all wouldpreferalawyerthatobjectsandasksdifficultquestions?
Whydolawyersobject?Howmanyofy’allthink it’stohidebadevidence?Forsomelawyers,that’s probablytrue(nodatState).Butwhoknowshow defenselawyersarejudgedonreview?Bytheir win/lossrecords?Whatifalawyeronlyhandles trafficticketsorevictionsoftenantswhodon’tpay theirrent?Willtheywinmorethanalawyerwho
takes the hardest court appointed cases, where theyhavenocontroloverwhichcasestheyget andtheyrepresentcitizensaccusedofmurderor rapingchildren?Doestheirwin/lossrecordtell youwhoisthebetterlawyer?Wegetjudgedon our transcripts. That’s why I will object frequently.It’salsowhyI’vetoldJane,ourcourtreporter,toyellatmeifanythingIsayisn’tclearto her.It’swhyI’mgratefulshe’sagreed,rightJane? Willallofy’allagreetoletmedomyjob,too?I’m gratefultoy’allforthat.
2. Take the Judge’s Power–Nobody Loves theRef
Tellthevenireaboutthejudge’srole.Thejudgeis areferee.Howmanysportsfanshavewegottoday?Whatisthereferee’sjob?Tokeepthegame fair, right? Also to keep it moving? Is a ref in chargeofplayingthegame?Shouldtherefbein chargeofdeterminingwhowins?Why?Whatis sowrongwhenabadcallaffectsthegame?How doesthatfeelasafan?Whoisinchargeofthis case?Y’allare.Howdoy’alldecidethecase?By determiningiftheStatehasprovedtheircasebeyondareasonabledoubt.Who’sjobisittohelp y’alldothatjob?Thelawyers.What’sthejudges’ job,again?Tomakesurethelawyerscanfairlydo theirs.ThejudgewilltellyouthesamethingI’m saying—nothingthejudgedoesorsaysissupposed toinfluenceyourdecisionaboutwhetherornot theStatehasproventheircase.Therefshouldn’t decidethegame.
3. AlienatetheState
Humansareinherentlytribalistic,definingthemselvesbothintermsofthegroupstowhichthey belongandinoppositiontooutsiders.Usethisingroup/out-grouptheorytoalienatetheState.Pick examples and tell stories that emphasize your
sharedidentitywiththepanelbutwhichtheState cannotduplicate.Forexample,talkabouthowit feelstobeaccusedandafterthepanelistsshare thosestories,explainthatthosefeelingstheyexperiencedarepartofthereasontheburdenisonthe State.Theprosecutorsaretheaccusers.Similarly, emphasizeothersharedexperiences,suchastraffic afteraSpursgamewhenyouneedtopeefrom havingsomeofthosehugebeers.Notonlywill youfigureoutquicklywhohascommittedDWI, youwillreinforcesharedexperience,whilethe State’s disapproving expressions will establish themasoutsiders.ThekeyisgobeyondreferencingyourselfasaSpursfantodescribingacommon feelingandexperienceasaSpursfan.Themore thejurorsfeelpartofyourtribe,themorealienatedtheStatebecomes.
4. PreservingErrorHelpsWinTrials,Not JustAppeals
Extensiveresearchconfirmsthatpeopleformconclusions about strangers very rapidly and those firstimpressionscanbehardtoshake.Research alsoshowsthatpeoplejudgingdisputesbetween thirdpartiestendtopickawinnerbasedonwho appearstobewinningorlosingtheargument,not thesubstanceoftheargument.Objectduringvoir dire.ObjecttotheState’sslides,objecttotheir questions,objecttotheirexamples.Establishearly that objections are part of the process. Importantly,don’tshowanyparticularemotionalreactiontotherulings.Acceptthemwithgoodhumor.Ifyouwinsomeobjectionsduringvoirdire, youwillestablishearlythattheStatedoesn’talwaysplaybytherules.Ifyouacceptalltherulings withgrace,youprojectprofessionalism,competence,andconfidence.Youlooklikeawinner.
Youshouldalsopreserveerrorbyaskingforadditionaltimeattheendofvoirdireand,whentenderingyourstrikes,byrequestingmorestrikes. Experiencedjudgeswillquicklyrecognizeyouas alawyerwhocanpreserveerror.Inexperienced
judgesoftenerrwhendealingwiththesesurprisinglyrarerequests.Don’tforgetBatson.Prosecutorsgetneedlesslyworkedupwhentheracistimpactoftheirstrikesisraised.Throwthemofftheir gameearly.PreservingerrormakestheStatefocus onyouinsteadoftheircase.Preservingerrortells thejudgetheyneedtolistentoyoubecausetheir rulings will be reviewed if you don’t prevail. When prosecutors or judges get frustrated, but youremaincalmandconfident,notonlywillyou looklikeawinner,they’lllooklikelosers.
5. UseReciprocity
Reciprocity is baked into human nature. Social animalsrequirereciprocitytoformcohesivesocial organizations.Giveofyourselftothepanel.Share “secrets”aboutthecourtprocess.Shareanemotionallydifficultpersonalstory.Butmakeitclear tothepanelthatyouaredoingtheseoutofrespect forthefactthatyouareaskingsomethingofthem. “I’mgoingtoshareareallypersonalstorywith y’all.I’mgoingtodothatbecauseI’mgoingtoask y’allsomeverypersonalquestions.It’sonlyfair thatIsharefirstifI’maskingy’alltosharewith me.”Theimplicationisthatitisunfairforthemto holdbackandtheywillfeelit.Similarly,telling the jury about how lawyers operate, especially thingsthatmayhelpthemduringthisprocess,can buildreciprocity.Whenyoutellthejurythatvoir direisaprocessofelimination,alsotellthemyou are giving them that information because you needsomethinginreturn—theirparticipation.Be explicit about what you want in exchange for your“gifts.”
6. CreateCodewordstoDefeatWitnesses
Duringvoirdire,youcandefinethewordsyou useinyourquestionshoweveryoulike.“Forpurposes of this question, ‘totality of the circumstances’meanseverythingsomeoneshouldconsiderorinquireaboutbeforemakingadecision.” Now,whentheofficertestifies,thejuryislikelyto
use that definition, instead of the more limited definition that experienced officers understand. Unlessyouasktheofficerexplicitlywhathemeans bytotalityofthecircumstances,thejurywilluse yourdefinition,buttheofficerwillusehis,creatingadisconnectbetweenthewitnessandthejury. IwalkedaserialrapistbecauseIdiscussedcrimes ofmoralturpitudeasrenderingawitness’testimonyinherentlyincredible.Myclientonlyraped prostitutes.Thejurybelievedthattheirtestimony waslegallyinsufficienttoconvict.Usevoirdireto definethelanguageofthecaseandchangethe conversationtoyouradvantage.
7. TestYourClosingArgument
Thestrongestclosingargumentstellacompelling story.Invoirdire,createanopportunitytotella storytoillustratesomepoint.Ifyoucan,tryto elicitthatstoryfromapanelist.Thestoryshould be analogous to the story you expect to tell throughoutyourcase.Forexample,ifyourtheme isthatyourclientwascaughtina“nowin”situationandwasjustifiedinshootingsomeone,ask the panelists to talk about “no win” situations they’veexperienced.Provideanexampleofsucha situationthatissimilartoyourcase,butnotobjectionablysimilar,andaskeachprospectivejuror howheorshewouldrespondandwhy.Notonly willyoufindoutwhoismoreorlesssympathetic toyourcase,youmaydiscoverwhichareasof yourstoryneedwork.
8. CommittheJury—toPrinciples
Oathsareimportantonlytopeoplewhobelieve oathsareimportant.Ifyouwantyourjurytofollowtheiroath,youneedtodomorethanrelyon theoath.Psychologicalresearchtellsusthatmost peopleareincapableofmakingdecisionswhich theyperceiveascontradictingtheirself-identity. So,committhepaneliststoparticularprinciples that are part of their conceptualization of their ownselves.Ifthoseprinciplesrequireanoutcome
favorabletoyou,youwillwin.Ininjurytoachild cases,Iinvitejurorstosharemomentswherethey wenttoofarasaparentwhendiscipliningachild andregrettedit.Iaskiftheybelievethatmoment meanstheyareabadparentoverall.Bytheendof thediscussion,everyparentiscommittedtothe principlethatevengoodparentswillgotoofar discipliningtheirkidsatsomepoint.Itisashort leapfromthatideatoconcludingthatitcanbe reasonableforastressed-outparenttoreachtheir wits’endandwhoopakidrealbad,evenifthekid didn’tdeserveallofthewhooping.
9. Pushthe
BurdenofProofHard
This concept is everything to us as defense lawyers.Itisthefoundationofcriminaltrialprocedureandpractice.Itishardtounderstand.Itis hard to explain without getting too lawyerly. Spendthetime.Makesurethejurywillgetit.Iuse atacticIcall“thewalkingcharge.”Startatone sideoftheroomandexplainreasonablesuspicion. Use an example. Take a few steps towards the otherendoftheroomandexplainprobablecause. Giveafewexamples.Walktothemiddleofthe room,explainpreponderanceoftheevidence.Be dismissive,it’sonlyaboutmoney.Walkmostof thewaytotheothersideandexplainclearand convincingevidence.Whydoweapplythisstandard?Howimportantareyourkidstoyou?What sortofevidencewouldyouwantbeforeyoutella kidtheynevergettoseetheirmom,again?Now gotothewall.Thisisbeyondareasonabledoubt. Evenifyoufeeltheevidenceisstrongenoughto takeachildfromtheirparents,youaren’tdone. Youhaveworktodo.Youneedtolookforgaps intheState’scasethatevenhislawyersmighthave overlooked.Onlythencanyouconcludethere’s noroomtoreasonablydoubtthateachandevery elementhasbeenproven.
10. ThePresumptionofInnocenceMeansNo Excuses
The presumption of innocence means that the jurymustassumeyourclientisinnocent.Todo that,jurorsmustactuallyevaluatetheevidenceas thoughyourclientisinnocent.Thatmeansthey mustacceptaninnocentexplanationfortheevidencewherethereisareasonablealternativetothe state’stheory.So,whentheStatearguesthatevery victimisdifferent,forexample,theyarereallyaskingthejurytoassumeguilt.Thatacomplainant waitedyearsbeforereportinganoffencecan’tbe explainedbythefactthatsomevictimstaketime tocomeforward,unlesstheStateprovesbeyonda reasonabledoubtthatyourcomplainanthadthat psychologicalfeature.WhattheStatereallywants thejurytodoisignorethepresumptionofinnocence and look past a problem in their case. They’re making excuses. “Ignore our victim’s strangebehaviorbecausesomevictimsdoweird things.”Well,liarsdo,too.Thejuryisrequiredto resolve these questions in your client’s favor.
VWhentheStatemakestheseexcuses,theyareimplicitlyadmittingthatthereisagapintheevidencethatcreatespotentialreasonabledoubt.If theStateblamesyouformakingexcuses,theyare implicitlyadmittingthattheycan’tansweryour point.They’remakinganexcuseandblamingyou forit,justlikeaccusersoftendo.Explainthistothe jury.
Oncethepanelseemstogetthepresumptionconceptually,locktheminemotionally.“Y’allhaveto applythepresumptionofinnocencetoresolveany issueyouaren’tsureofinJohn’sfavor.It’syourjob tofindholesandtrytofindawayto“notguilty.” Why?Because,inyourmind,thispersonisinnocent.Youmustchallengetheevidencelikeyou believeyouareprotectinganinnocentman.Can youdothat,Juror1?Doyoubelieveheisguilty orinnocentrightnow?Juror2?
John T. Hunter
ariationsonthephrase“trialiswonandlostin juryselection”aboundincourtroomsacross thenation.Inallprobability,thisisthetruestthing thatonecansayaboutthejusticesystem.Butvoir direisalsoamercurialvaudevilleactthatoften timesfeelsmorelikeAlchemythananyformof modernscience;andthemanycompetingschools ofthoughtsurroundinghowbesttopickajury reflectthis.Forallofthesereasons,Ithinkitisbest tothinkofthesesuggestionsmorelikenavigationaltoolsthatwillhavetobetweaked,adjusted, andoccasionallyoutrightabandoneddepending onthefactsofthecaseandthepersonalitiesinvolved.
1. VoirDireispartoftheforensicprocessof presentingacasetothejury.
Yes,theultimategoalofjuryselectionistoidentifyandremovethosepotentialjurorswhoareun-
fittoconsiderthefactsofthecase,refusetofollow thelaw,exhibitapronouncedbiasagainstyour client,etc.Butitisimportanttounderstandthat therearelimitationsonyourabilitytoidentifyeveryconceivablereasonthatajurorshouldn’tbeselected.Youwillbeultimatelytaskedtotryand persuadethetwelveindividualschosen;totheextentthatonecanundertheprocedurallimitations, thatprocessofpersuasionshouldstartduringjury selection.
Bythetimetrialstarts,youwillhavelikelydevelopedsomecertainattitudesthatareessentialto properlyadvocatingforyourclientandcasting theevidenceinthelightmostfavorabletohim. Youmayhavehadtowrestlewithsomefactual aspect surrounding your client’s behavior that offendsyourmoralsensibilities.Inordertoovercomethat,youmayhavechosentofocusonsome otheraspectofthecasethatyoufeelmeritsaver-
dictinyourfavordespitethethingsthatmorally upsetyou.Thisisawonderfulwaytobothprobe thepsychesofthevenireandformsomekindof commongroundwiththem.
These opening areas of discussion serve several differentfunctions.Theygiveyoutheopportunitytointroducethejurorstoyourroleinthe proceedings,andthefactthatthedefenseattorney isasequallyconcernedwithdefendingtheintegrityoftheprocessasheiswiththedefenseof hisclient.Ithelpsjurorseitheridentifywithorrejectthe“tribal”valuesthatyouespouse.Intoday’s societyespecially,manyjurorswilleitherrecognizeandidentifywithyourfunctionintheprocess orrejectyouentirely.Ifyoucanachieveit,gettingthosewhowillrejectyouviscerallyoutinto theopennowwillserveyoumuchbetterthandiscoveringwhotheyareaftertheverdict.Don’tbe afraidtohavedialogue,eventothepointofanuncomfortable conversation during the selection process.Butbesuretobuildonit.Ifavenirepersonisadamantlyagainstyou,findanaturalconclusiontothediscussion,thankthemforhaving thegutstotellyouhowtheyfeel,andseeifyou can’tfindotherpeoplethatfeelsimilarly.
2. Useaquestionnaire!
Youalmostassuredlywillnothavethetimetolocateallofthedifferenttypesofmindsthatwillbe opposedtoyou,yourpointofview,yourclient, etc.Circulatingajuryquestionnaireinadvanceof trialletsyouidentifyandfocusyourtime.There willbecertainjurorswhoseattitudesandanswers toparticularquestionsmakethemtooessentialto yourcasetoquestionatallbeyondasuperficial level.Othersaretoodeadlytoyourcasetoeverbe allowedinthejurybox.Aquestionnairewellcalibratedtothefactsofyourcaseisanexcellentway toaddresstheseissues.InamurdertrialIlitigated recently,Iknewthatdrugusewasboththemost importantandmostdangerousissueinmycase. ImportantbecauseIbelievedthatthedrugsplayed
acriticalroleinthedeceased’sdeath;dangerous becausemyclientadmittedtogivingthedrugsto the deceased. I needed people who were open mindedaboutdruguse,butwhoalsorecognized thattherearehiddendangersthatthegeneraldrug consumingpublicmaynotbeawareof.There were similar issues in the case surrounding the conceptof“roughsex.”Ineededjurorswhocould appreciatethatsomepeopleactivelyseekoutsexual partners that are overly physical, and that wouldnotassumesomeoneguiltyofacrimesimplybecausethatwassomethingheorshewanted toengagein.
Thetricktousingaquestionnaireistodevelopa keytotheanswersanidealjurorandthemosthorriblejurorontheplanetwouldgivehypothetically.Ifindthatacolorcodedanswerkeyworks best—All greens highlights for the best juror; greensandbluesforadecentjuror;bluesandyellowsforajurorthatI’dliketostrikeforcausebut mayhavetoacceptunlessIhaveextraperemptory challenges;yellowsandpinksforaverybadjuror; andallpinksforthelivingreincarnationofJosef Mengele.Weallknowthatcourtsdonotgiveyou muchtimetomakeyourstrikelists;sotheobjective,howeveryouchoosetoorganizeit,mustbe calibratedtospeed.Tothisend,Ibelieveitisbest toonlyusethequestionnaireforthemostimportantquestionsthatwouldpertaintointelligentexerciseofperemptorystrikesandsaveyourefforts todevelopchallengesforcauseintheoralpresentation.
3. Donotpickajurybyyourself!
Neverpickajurybyyourself.Yourmindshould befocusedonhavingacandid,open,andfrank discussionwiththevenireandonmakingmental notesaboutthejurorsyouespeciallylikeordislike.Allother“data”collectedduringtheprocess shouldbegatheredbyyourtrialpartnerinaneasilydigestibleformat.Agreeinadvancewithyour trialpartnerabouteasilyrecognizablesymbolsthat
youcanascribetothevariouschallengesforcause thatyouintendtomarkandidentify(e.g.⸫=will not respect defendant’s right to not to testify). Havingatrialpartnerwhoisabletoeasilycatch objectionableresponsesfromthevenireinorder tomakethecauselistisabsolutelyessential.Their notesmustbesparsebutconveyessentialinformationquickly.
4. Know your Jury Instructions Before VoirDire.
Prosecutorsfrequentlymisstatethelaworaskimpropercommitmentquestions.Payattentionto theseissueswhetheryouchoosetoobjectornot. Itisentirelypossiblethattheopposingsideisnot asdialedinonthelegalelementsandthecasesinterpretingthoseelementstothejuryinstructions asyouare.Ifyouhavepreparedyourinstructions inadvance,oratleasthavetheapplicablecaselaw readyfortheCourt,youhaveanopportunityto1) educateyourprosecutor—andtherebypotentially forcethemtochangetheirstrategywhentheyare leastequippedtodoso;2)educatethejuryabout thelawtheywillsoonhavetoapply;and3)help gettheCourtintherightframeofmindtoanticipatetheseissueslateronintheprocess,suchas during evidentiary rulings, and in drafting the charge.
5. Pay Attention to Weird Questions by theProsecution.
Iftheprosecutionisaskingquestionsthatseema bitunusual,thereisoftenareasonforit.Unlike thegardenvarietymisstatementsofthelawdiscussedabove,hereyouareonthelookoutfor questionsthathintatthefactthattheprosecutor alreadyintendstoseekalesser-includedoffense instruction;intendstoofferapieceofevidence thatyoubelievewouldbecompletelyinadmissible,etc.Often,thesearethe“makeorbreak”issues for the prosecutor—the things that ultimately promptedthemtogoforwardwiththecase.You
needtotryandanticipatewhytheprosecutoris bringingupaparticularodd-ballsubject.Ifyou canobject,doso.Evenifyoulosetheobjection, youforcetheprosecutortoexplaintotheCourt whythatlineofdiscussionisappropriateinthe voirdireofthiscase,whichwillhelpyourespond accordinglyinyourpresentation.
6. Construct Good Cause Challenge Questions.
Theperemptorystrikesarethecurrencyofvoir dire.Whileitwouldbesillytofightthebattle purelyintheseterms,itisusefulsometimesto imaginevoirdirelikeacardgamewhereyouare tryingtokeepasmanyofthecardsinyourhand aspossiblewhilemakingtheopponentdiscardall oftheircardsinwaysthatfailtoscorethemany points.Thus,youwanttotryandensurethatas many undesirable jurors are struck for cause as possiblewhilesavingyourperemptorystrikesfor cleanup.Simultaneously,youwanttorehabilitate asmanyindividualstheStateseekstochallengefor causeasyoucansothattheStatemustburntheir peremptory strikes, thereby potentially saving some favorable juror from being struck further downthelist.
Toachievethis,itisusefultothinkofbroadquestionsthatcanhelpidentifycertainvaluesorpoints ofviewthatarewidelyheldbutaretotallyantitheticaltodueprocessoflaw.Acommonexample ofthistypeofquestionis“Thelawprohibitsapersonfrombeingconvictedofacrimethatwasnot particularlychargedintheindictment.Ifadefendantisaccusedofsexualassaultofachildbymeans ofdigitalpenetrationofthevagina,andtheState instead proves that the defendant touched the child’slegwithhissexualorgan,itisyourlegal dutytoacquitthedefendantiftherearenolesserincludedoffenseinstructions.Canyouallfollow thelaw?Canyoufindamannotguiltydespite knowingthathecommittedanextremelyserious offensesimplybecausetheStatedidnotcorrectly
chargethatoffenseintheindictment?”Youwill findthatquestionslikethisputthevenireinstark contrasttooneanother,andwillinstantlyexpose alargecontingentofpeoplewhoformoralreasons,amisapprehensionofthejusticesystem,or somecombinationofthetwo,simplywouldnever followthelaw.Developingaseriesofthesequestionscanhelpyouimmenselywhenitcomestime tomakeyourchallengesforcause,particularlyif you’vesecuredareliabletrialpartnertonotatethe answers.
7. Rehabilitation.
Rehabbingafavorablejurorisanessentialskill, eventhoughtheneedtodosomeanstheStatehas already identified that person as a problem for theircase,andwilllikelyburnaperemptoryon them.Therearetoomanylegalissuessurrounding rehabilitationthatarebetterlefttothecasesand digests,butonecategoryinparticularseemstobe highlysuccessfulsimplybecausetheprosecution— andmanycourts—mistakenlybelievethatanswers ofthistypearechallengeableforcausewhenthey arenot.Itiswellknownthata“vacillatingor equivocal”answerbytheveniremanresultsintotaldeferencetothe trial court’s decision on the cause challenge. Brown v. State, 913 S.W.2d 577 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Butwhenthewitnessisunequivocal, andthechallengeisbasedonthatjuror’spersonal beliefsaboutwhatthe“proofbeyondareasonable doubtstandard”meanstothem,theCourtcommitsreversibleerrorbygrantingtheState’schallengeforcause. Zinger v. State, 932 S.W.2d 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (en banc). Theseissuescome upfrequently,becausefartoomanyprosecutors fixate on trying to make jurors commit to the State’sconceptofbeyondareasonabledoubt,despitetheabsenceofalegaldefinitioninTexasfor the term. Hence, while a conviction can be affirmedonlegallysufficientevidencedespitethe factthattheStateonlycallsonewitness,ajuror cannotbestrucksimplybecausetheyunequivocallystatethatcallingonewitnesswouldnever,in
theirestimation,constituteproofbeyondareasonabledoubt.Thissameconceptcanbeapplied toallmannerandvarietyofissuesthattheState triestovoirdireontodevelopimproperchallengesforcause:aDWIcasewithoutabloodalcoholnumber;asexualassaultcasewithonlyone witnessorwithoutDNAtesting,etc.
8. TrytoAvoidGeneralizing.
Weallarecognizantoftheprohibitions—applicabletobothsides—againstdiscriminationinjury selection.Inreality,thelawyerthatdependson generalizing based on categories—prohibited or not—likelyhurtshisclientmorethananyoneelse. I’veheardmanylawyerstalkabouthow“Idon’t liketeachers”or“Ireallylikeengineers,”etc.,etc. Apartfromtheextremelygeneralprinciples(i.e.a policeofficerisprobablynotagoodchoicefora longlitanyofreasons),thiskindofstereotyped juryselectioncanbeself-defeating.Youcertainly coulddecidethatapersoninagivenprofession maybepotentiallyadangeroradetriment,but thatassumptionshould,totheextentpracticable, betestedthroughtheexaminationprocessitself and,ideally,throughaquestionnaire.Peopleare capableofsurprisingyou.Similarly,generalizationsaboutthetypesofpeopleyouthinkwouldbe goodforyourcasecanbeproblematic.Certainly, aphysicianoranursemightbeanassetinascientificallycomplicatedcase,butnotallphysicians andnursesareequallyskilled,knowledgeable,or objectiveintheirthinking.Withoutsomeother datapointstoanalyzeagainstthebackdropofthis person’scareer,therearetoomanyunknowable thingslurkingintheshadows.Handicappingis forthehorseraces.
9. ScaledQuestionsDuringthePresentation.
Similartotheideaofapre-voirdirequestionnaire, scaledquestionsduringtheselectionprocessitself areextremelyvaluableforidentifyingchallenges forcauseandfindingpeopletostrikeupadifficult
conversationwith.Butalltoooftenyoucanwatch theherdmentalitykickinasyouprogressthrough thevenire.Bytheend,everysinglejurorisgiving thesameanswer.Forthesereasons,Ithinkitis besttousescaledquestionssparingly,atleastinthe way that it is most commonly used. Group responsescaledquestionscangiveyouabird’seye viewofhowmanyleadersandfollowersthereare inagivenpanel,whichmightbehelpfulinits ownright.Buttounderstandtheindividualattitudesthatsomeonehasandhowthoseattitudes might shift depending on how suggestible or agreeablethatpersonisinagroupof12,itwould helptohavemoreindividualizeddatathatisn’tdirectlysharedwiththeentirevenireasitisbeing collected.
Toaccomplishthis,lawyersarebeginningtouse “audienceresponsesystems”(“ARS”)invoirdire withpriorjudicialapproval.Typically,courtswill requireyoutosharethedatacollectedfromanaudienceresponsesystemwiththeprosecutionas well.Butsolongastheentireveniredoesnotsee thecontentofthepoll,thisapproachtoscaled questioningcanmakesurethattheresponsesare accuraterepresentationsofthatindividualjuror’s opinions, which in turn makes challenges for causebasedonthoseopinionsmorelikelytobe successful. ARS can be cost-prohibitive, even whenrentingthedevices.Butgiventhesignificance of this technology, I think it should be somethingthatismoreheavilypursuedandsubsidized by public defender and indigent defense programs,aswellasamatterwithintheCourt’s discretiontoapproveunder Ake.
10. Don’t Rely Too Much on Your Power Point—andReviewtheState’sPresentation!
PowerPointisawonderfulprogram,butitisn’ta substituteforagoodpresentation.It’sjustawayto enhance the experience. Putting up too many wordsonascreenensuresthattheaudiencewon’t readitandittemptsthelawyertoreadverbatim
fromtheslide,whichisalmostworsethanmaking thejurorsreadittothemselvesinsilence.Afew keypiecesoftexthereandtheretohighlightthe elementsoftheoffenseorcriticallanguagefrom thejurychargearefine,buttrytotimetheintroduction of these slides so that they’re naturally poppingupasyou’respeaking,andtryifpossible tomemorizethetextsothatyoudon’tbreakeyecontactwithyouraudience.Picturesandvisual cuesareanexcellentwaytokeepvisuallyinclined thinkersengaged,butitissimilarlyimportantnot tooverwhelmtheaudienceandtomakesurethat themessagetheimageconveysisnotsubjectto too many disparate interpretations. That being said,don’tbeafraidtooccasionallyusesomething shockingorsurprising.Inmurdertrials,Ihave usedaslidewithablackandwhitephotoofadead womaninapartialstateofundress.Ifoundthis imageinanoldhomicideinvestigationmanual. Muchastheauthordid,Iaskpeoplewhatthey thinkhappenedtothewoman.“Murder!”“Sexual Assault!”arethemostcommonresponses.Ithen tellthemthatthisisanimagefromahomicideinvestigationthatultimatelyturnedouttobeaninnocentfatalheartattack.Ithenusethistoprompt adiscussionaboutwaitingforalltheevidenceto comeinandthepresumptionofinnocence.
Evenifyouchoosenottouseapowerpoint—and insomecasesIhavemadethatdecisionwithout regret—itisimperativethatyoureviewtheprosecutor’s power point before their presentation commences.Ifpossible,askforapapercopyofthe presentationsothatobjectionableslidescanbeexhibit-markedandreceivedintherecord.Youwill invariably find misstatements of the law, statements that impermissibly attempt to lessen the State’sburdenofproof,ormaterialsthathaveno purposeotherthantoinflamethejury’ssensibilities.Icannotcounthowmanyappellaterecords I’verunacrosswherethelawyerobjectedtothe slide,buttheslideitselfwasneverreceivedinto
therecord.
AsIsaidbefore,thesearesimplysomethingsthat havehelpedmenavigatethemurkywatersof juryselection.Therearenohardandfastrules andplentyofsituationswhereanythingapproximatingaformalruleshouldbebroken.Nomat-
1terhowyouchoosetoconductvoirdire,rememberthatthegoalissimple—getasmanyproblematicpotentialjurorsoffthepanelasefficientlyas possiblewithoutoverlycallingattentiontothe jurorsyouthinkwillmostfairlyheartheevidenceinyourcase.Happyhunting!
Tony Jiminez III & Catherine Valenzuela
Beyourselfandalwayshaveasecondchairto keeptrackofstrikesandtogiveyouimmediate feedbackonthejurypool.Becomeateamforthe jury.Thepanelwillbewatchingbothofyouso ownit.Ifyoumakeamistake(withaslideor whatever)laughatthemistakeandmoveon.
2. Introduce your client. Personalize him/her.Ifthereareissueswithhisbackground, mentionthemandusethattosegwayintoadiscussionconcerningrightsaffordedanaccused— reinforcethejudge’sintroductorycommentsto thejurypanel(i.e,fair,impartialjury.)
3. Talkaboutourresponsibilities,dutiesand obligationsasdefenseattorneys.Ifyouarecourt appointed,makementionofit.Tellthejurythat yourperformanceisbeingjudgedbytheCourt, theCourtofAppealsandtheStateBar.
4. Having a power point is important. In your power point presentation, include a slide abouttherightsaffordedyourclient,especially oneonreasonabledoubt.Itisnevertooearlyto educatethepanel.Wehaveaslidewhichlistswhat reasonable doubt isn’t ( might have, could be, probably,etc.)Therearevarioussamplesofthese chartsontheinternet.
5. Behonestandupfrontwiththejury.Talk abouttheweaknessesofyourcase.Usefamiliar/ relevantexamplesthatspeaktotheweaknessesor theseriousnatureofthecase.Donotbeafraidto
putitoutthereandgetthepanel’simpressionsand concerns.
6. If a juror is combative or tainting the panel,andtheyarenotinthestrikezone,immediatelythankthemandstatethatiftheywillhold thatthoughtyougetbacktothemlaterinthe process.Youshouldalsoaskifthereareanyother jurorswhoagreeorhavethesameopinion.Make specialnoteofthemwithoutgettingintoanyadditionaldiscussion.
7. Haveexamplesrelevanttoyourfactsituationtodeterminetheirbias,prejudiceorsympathies.Useyourselforafamilymemberasanexampleofsomeonedirectlyaffectedbyacrime.And wouldfinditverydifficulttobefairorimpartial regarding that particular offense. Give the jury permissiontoadmittobiases.
8. Try to engage with the entire panel— moveawayfromfocusinginonthefirstrows.Ask the3rdor4throwsiftheyagreeordisagreewith responsesofotherjurors.“Loopingalwaysworks”
9. Haveyoursecondchairtakenotesonjuror’sactualresponses—insightsthatcomefromthe mouthsofthejury.Youmaybeabletousethem inclosingarguments.Extrapointsiftheremarks aremadefromsomeonewhoisonthejurypanel. Example:Invoirdire,itwassaid.Usetheirown language.
10. Endwiththeoathgiventothejury. You and each of you do solemnly swear that in the case of the State of Texas against the defendant, you will a true verdict render according to the law and the evi-
dence, so help you God. Putitupthereandstateit. Makeitaslideonyourpowerpoint.Empowerthe jurytomaketherightdecision.
Adam Kobs
1PREPARE:Thesinglemostimportantaspect oftrialisjuryselection.Yourcasecaneitherbe wonorlostinvoirdire.Youmustknowyourcase forwardsandbackwardsbythisstage.Youshould typically cover the following topics: burden of proofandwhohasit,reasonabledoubt,presumptionofinnocence,thedefendantneednottestify, particularsofthecase,defenses(ifany)andpunishment.
2. ESTABLISH RAPPORT: Introduce the citizenaccusedbynameandcontinuetocallhim byname.Donotrefertohimasthedefendant,or yourclient.Familiarizethejurorswithboththe lawandthefacts(totheextentpossible)ofyour case.GetaheadstartontheStatebydisclosingthe weaknessesofyourcase.
3. BEHUMBLE:Beconfident,butnotarrogant.Ifthejurydoesn’tlikeyou,theywillprobablynotlikeyourclient.Demonstratewarmth.If thejurysensesthatyoudonotbelieveinyour client,neitherwillthey.
4. DRESSAPPROPRIATELY:Thisapplies tobothyouandyourclient.Don’twearanything too flashy or skimpy. Minimize the amount of jewelrywornandbewellgroomed.Nosmoking. Thisespeciallyappliestoyourclientastheywalk tocourt.
5. HAVEANOTETAKER:Ifeelitisimperativetohavesomeoneassistingyouinjuryselection.Whetheritisanotherattorney,aparalegal,yoursecretary,oryourclient,youshouldhave someonetakingnotessoyoucanfocusonlisten-
ing and watching the panel. Your note taker doesn’thavetobesittingatthecounseltableeither;theycouldbeinthebackoftheroom,next tothebarorevenbytheclerk’sdesk.
6. CONVERSE, DO NOT INTERROGATE:Listenmorethanyouspeak(there’sareasonGodmadeuswith2earsandonly1mouth). Theideaistogetthemtotalk.Bythetimevoir direisover,youshouldhaveheardfromevery memberofthepanelevenifitisjusttosay“hello.”
7. USE POWERPOINT: Most people are visuallearnersandcanrecallvisualinformation better.Italsoallowsyoutoconveyalotofinformationtotheminalimitedtime.
8. USEAVAILABLERESOURCES:Getan ideaofwhattoexpect.Earlyon,asktheJudge howheorsheusuallyconductsvoirdire.Askthe bailiff in advance for a seating chart. Use the SACDLA and TCDLA listservs as sounding boards.Watchotherlawyersinaction,readbooks andattendCLE’sonthesubject.
9. CLIENT INVOLVEMENT: Ask your clienttotakenotesandtoparticipate.Havethem engagedinthejuryselectionandactinglikethey care.Jurorswillbepayingattentiontoyourclient. Again,thecasecanbewonorlostjustbythenonverbalcommunicationoftheclient.
10. DETERMINE THE JUROR YOU WANT:Whenmakingstrikesorchallengesfor cause(andasadefaultfallback)remindyourselfof whattypeofjuroryouwanttobeseated.Deter-
mine ahead of time whether you would like men/women, old/young, conservative/liberal,
educated/uneducated,etc.
Sam Lock
Theysaythatcasesarewonandlostatjury selection.Ithinkthisistrue.Sure,thearrows ofourargumentareimportant,butthetargetfor thosearrowsisFARmoreimportant.Giveyourselfabigtarget.
BeforeeachtrialIwriteonthetopofeachpageof myjuryselectionnotes:LISTEN,DON’TLECTURE.Thisain'tConLaw101.Sure,thereare someimportantconceptstodiscuss.But,whether ornotthatvenirepersonthinksthatJudgeJeanine PirroshouldbethenextpresidentoftheUnited Statesisfarmoreimportantthanmytakeonthe burdenofproof.Bothareimportantinthecase.If Icomeupshortinexplainingafundamentalconstitutionalconcept,thechargeofthecourtwill cureit(see#8).IfIletalawandorderassassinon myjury,I'msunk.
Itisadvisabletouseanoutlineofconcepts,nota script.Ofcourse,themorejuriesyoupick,the easieritwillbecome.Ascriptwillcrippleyou.An outlinewillkeepyounimble,becauseyouwillalwayswantto....
Takewhatisgiventoyou.Yourjuryconsistsof people with real life experiences and opinions. Someoftheexperiencesaretiedintocrimeand lawenforcement.Minethosereal-worldexperiences.InaDWIcase,youaremoreandmore likelytohavesomeonewhohasbeenarrestedfor DWI. “Where were you offered the blood or breathtest?Oh,soyouwerealreadyarrestedat thatpoint?Howhadcooperationhelpedyou?” Thoseopinionsandexperiencesarethereifyou listen.Theywilldisappearifyoulecture.
WearelivinginaveritableGoldenAgeofStuffto GetPeopleBloviatingandOpining.Thereisan overabundanceofmaterialinthenewstogetpeopletalking.Ifyourcaseinvolvesfamilyviolence, sexualassault,fraudulentdocuments,oranynumberofothertopics,youwillbeabletogetyour panel talking. Shoot, some laypeople will have opinions,basedonthenews,onwhatshouldappearinachargingdocument.Gentlybroachsome of the relevant topics with the panel. See who wantstotalk.Seeifyoucangetthepaneltalking toeachother,withoutlettingitrunamok.
Youneedanextrasetofeyes.Don’texpectthe truthwhereyouarelooking.Thetruthishappeningonthepartsofthepanelwhereyouaren't looking.Assignanotherlawyeroryourclientto usetheirperipheralvisiontoseewhatisgoingon withthebodylanguageofthejurorsyouaren't directlyaddressing.Youwillfindsomesurprising tells,thatbelietheinformationthatthejurorshave provideddirectly.
Thatpositive"vibe"youarefeelingfromthepersoninthesecondrowisasirensongandwill breakyourcaseontherocks.Thepositivevibe doesnotexist.
Brieflytouchuponwhatthepanelthinksthata defenselawyershoulddo.Itempowersthepanel togiveyoupermissiontodoyourjob.And,it helps them identify with the defendant on a humanlevel.
Totheextentpossible,whendiscussingthelaw say,"TheCourtwilltellyou..."Thejurygenerallycomesinwantingtofollowtherulesandfollowthelaw.
Usepropernames,whilebeingsincereandbeing yourself.Ifyoucanusethenamesofthepanel memberswhendiscussingconcepts,itcreatesafavorable impression. A prosecutor sarcastically complimentedmeonmy"parlortricks"infrontof ajuryduringatrial.Idon'tthinkthatthejury likedthatcomment.Ithinktheylikesomeoneto treatthemlikeapersonandnotpartofaherd.
Fillinyourownjurycard.Fillinyourclient'sjury card.Ourjuryselectionprocesstakesthedefendant out of the mix. The prosecutor has spent fromthirtyminutestoanhourboringthepanelto tearswithitsquestions.Youmustpersonalizethe processimmediately.ThefirstthingIsayis:This isMr._MynameisSamLock.Iseewehavesome generalinformationabouteachofyou.It'sonly fairtotellsomeinformationabouteachofus."I proceedtospendabout10to20secondsfillingthe juryinonappropriate,non-prejudicialinforma-
Dtionaboutthedefendantandmyself.
Ifyouseewhatmightbeafavorablejurorinthe backendofthepanel,askforajuryshufflein hopesofgettingthispersonintothefirst15-20 people.Thestatemayhavetouseastrikeonthis potentialjuror.Couldn’thurt.
Fromtimetotime,andcertainlynoteverytime, when I reach the end of jury selection and I haven'tgottenagoodreadfromthepanel,Iwill ask,“Whowantstobeonthisjury?”Ialwaysget somehandstogoup.Ofthosethatputuptheir hands,youmaybeabletodeduceWHYthey wanttobeonthejury.Thequestionmayhelp youdecidewheretousethoselaststrikes.
Raymond Martinez
on'tfeellikeyouhavetoparrotthestate's presentation.Noteveryissuethestatecovers meritsaresponse.Thelastthingthejurypanel wantstohearisathirdperson’stakeonreasonable doubtorburdenofproof.Iftheprosecutorwas particularlyeffective,changethesubjecttoissues youareconcernedabout.Ifyoutrytoohardto respond,thejurymightthinkyoutoothoughtthe prosecutorgotofftoagoodstart.
Thetwentyminutevoirdire.Mostofyouknow thereisaJudgethatwillgiveyoutwentyminutes forvoirdireonanaggravatedfelony.Whatdo youdo?First,youdon'tpanic,youdon'tgetflustered, and certainly you don't get into a confrontationwiththecourt.Second,theaforementionedJudgecoversthebasicsprettywellinhis presentation,sodon'twastetimerepeatingcoveredsubjectmatter.Third,thestatewilltryto cram as much of their canned presentation in
twentyminutesastheycanandwillrunoutof timeandappearunprepared.Don'trepeatthat.If anissuearisesduringvoirdirethatclearlymerits moretimethecourtwillnoticeandadjusttime accordingly.Ifnot,itcouldbeapointforappeal. Focusonthetwoorthreeissuesimportanttoyour defense,whetherit'sasearchissue,theaccomplice witnessrule,orsomeotherissueit'simportantto youthatthejuryunderstand.Pretendthisisthe wayvoirdireisalwaysdoneandyouwillimpress thejurywithyourcalmdemeanorandunhurried approach.
Sellyourself.WhatImeanbythatis,trytoget the jury to like you, whether it's because they thinkyouareorganized,ethical,honest,ormaybe just because you seem like a nice person. It's hardertoswayanopinionifajurordoesn'tcare foryoubasedonyourinteractionwiththejurors invoirdire.Howdoyoudothat?Don'targue
withajuror.Don'tletthatjurorwhowantsto challengeyougetunderyourskintothepoint youloseyourcomposureorsaysomethingyou shouldn't.Thecausechallengesusuallyfloattothe top.Letthem.Showtheotherjurorsyourexperienceandprofessionalismbylettingthatobnoxious jurorhanginthewind.Don’tengageinpointless discourse.Theywillappreciateyounotwasting their time. Don't be dismissive of juror's commentsorquestions.Eventhoughit'svoirdireand youhavethefloor,trytolistenandbepatient, versus talking over juror's or cutting them off. Somejurorsliketothinktheyknowmorethan thelawyers;somedon'tcareforlawyers.Don't showyourirritationinyourtoneorreaction.Do whatyouhavetodoinordertoexposecausechallenges,presentissuesthatareimportanttoyour defense,anddoitinadiligentandefficientmanner.We'veallseenjurorsirritatedbyunnecessary repetitionordelay.Theywillappreciatethatyou
valuetheirtimeandaremovingasquicklyasyou canwhiledoingrightbyyourclient.
Closingargument.Inaperfectworldyou knowwhatyouwanttoarguebeforethetrial starts.Thegroundworkforyourreasoningneeds tofirstappearinvoirdire.Don'taskfora38.23 instruction without fleshing out the Fourth Amendmentinvoirdire.Ifthatisyourwholedefense,spendalotoftimeonitinvoirdire.Jurors appreciate when you connect the discussion in voirdirewiththeanalysisyouwantthemtoengageinduringdeliberations.Thelightbulbgoing onishopefullyajurorunderstandingthatyoutold them what you thought was important in voir dire,appliedthefactstotheequationintrial,and insummationmadealogicalandcompellingargumentforacquittal.Ifdonerightitallbeginsin voirdire.
DEFENDER
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The San Antonio Defender isalwayslookingforcontentthatservesto inspire,educate,andexciteourmembership.
Ifyouwouldliketocontribute,pleasecontact amemberofthe Defender staff.
SAN ANTONIO
Bryan Orihel
1Beyourself,begenuine.Thegeniesaiditbest inthemovieAladdin,“beeeeeyourself.”Thisis yourfirstandpossiblylastmomenttoletthejury seeyoutrulycareforyouclientandthatyouabeingREAL.Ajurycanbeturnedoffimmediately ifyoucomeacrossfakeorcocky.Letthejurysee youareshowingyourtrueselfandbeinghonest withthem.Inreturn,youareaskingthattheybe honestandopenbacktoyou.Developarapport withthejurypanel;bepolite,berespectfultoall parties,butshowthemyouareseriousaboutdefendingyourclient.
2. Letthejuryknowyourpurposeandembracebeingthe“defenseattorney”.Youareina positiontoletthejuryknowthatyouarethereto makethesystemwork,thatyoubelieveinit.You aretherenotonlyforyourinnocentclientbutfor thecitizensandjurymembersaswell.Wehave thebestjudicialsystemintheworld,albeitwithits ownfaults,butALLofourlibertiesandrightsare onlyprotectedsolongasthejudicialsystemworks correctly.
3. Ifyouknowthereisanissueyouareworriedaboutinacase(i.e.notsogoodclientstatement/admission,orabadfact)don’tavoiditin voirdire.Meetitheadon.Ifitisabadfactyouare goingtohavetodealwithinyourcaseinchief, getaheadofitandtrytosetupyourattackordefenseonthat.Findyourjurorsthatwillsidewith youonaninnocentexplanationforthatbadfact orissue.Hopingthattheissueisjustgoingtogo away and that you’ll address it in cross or closingtendstobackfire.
4. Relatedto#3.YouMUSTprepandknow your case inside and out before jury selection. Knowingeverythingthatisgoingtocomeoutin trial(orthatyouwanttocomeoutintrial)isgoingtobesomepartofyourvoirdire.Youneedto
getthejurypanel’sviewsandfeelingsoneverythingthatisimportanttoyourcase.Nothaving reviewedalltheevidenceandwaitingtofinish preppinguntilafterthejuryispickedcanpotentiallykillyourchancesofanotguiltybeforethe actualtrialevenstarts.
5. InDWIcases,getthepaneltoopenupon drinkinganddriving.ItisNOTillegaltodrink anddrive,solongasyouarenotintoxicated.Ilike togetthroughtothejurypanelandhaveashow ofhandswhohasconsumedalcoholanddrivenafterwards.Ihaveyettoseeapanelwherealmostall thejurorsraisetheirhands.Usethattothenshow themhoweasyitcanbetobeassumedguiltyby anofficer,andsubsequentlybearrestedforaDWI just because you consumed alcohol and drove. Andthosejurorsthatdidn’traisetheirhand… findawaytogetthemoff.
6. Writeyourvoirdireoutorhaveaspecific outline.Goingintovoirdireandwingingitor nothavingaguidecanputyouinatoughspot. Whenjurorsstarttogooffontangentsorother subjects,youneedtohavesomethingtobringyou backontrackonwhatyouNEEDtohitonbefore yourtimeends.
7. Lookatthejurorcardsclosely.Arethere jurorsthathavejobsinafieldthatyoucanutilize inyourvoirdire.Youcoulduseanengineerto discusserrorinscience,andwhateffectthatcould have in that line of work, and the devastating eventsthatcouldresult.Weavethatintoanerror onabreathorbloodtestinaDWIcase.Youmay wanttostrikethatjurorforsomereasoninthe end,butusethemtogetyoursubjectordefensive theoryouttothemindsoftheotherjurors.
8. Getfamiliarwithhowtopreserveerroron challengesforcause.Ifacourtoverrulesordenies
yourchallengeforcauseonajuror,topreserveerrortofightanotherday:Youmust1)assertaclear andspecificchallengeforcause,2)useapreemptorychallengeonthecomplainedofvenireperson,3)exhaustallpreemptorychallenges,4)request additional strikes and have that request denied,and5)showanobjectionablejurorsaton thejury.ThenproveitupinaBill.
9. Loop,loop,andloop.Getthejurorstalking,youshouldspeakyourpoints,thenletthe jurypaneltakeover.Theonlywayyouwillbe abletodeterminewhoyouaregoingtostrikeisto gettheirparticularfeelingsonthecase.Itsucks whenyouhavestrikestouse,butnonotesona particularjurorinordertomakethatdecision.My descriptionofloopingisaskingaparticularjuror’s opinionorviewononeofmyvoirdirepoints, thengoingtoseveraljurors(especiallyinthestrike zone)andaskingthemhowtheyfeelaboutwhat thatjurorjustsaid.Dotheyagreeordisagree.The goalistohavethemstartaconversationonthe
differentissuesortopicsyouarehighlighting.
Therearesomanypointstohighlight,butthese aresomeofthemostimportant,Ithink.Thereis noparticularorspecificwayyoumustdovoir Dire.Therearesomanydifferentquestions,styles, andstrategiesthatdifferentattorneysuse,andthey allcanwork.Asyouhavemoretrialsandmore opportunitiestoparticipateinvoirdire,youwill seewhatworksforyou,whatworksforyourpersonality,andwhatledtoyouracquittals!Keepup thegoodfight!
Trisha Morales Padilla
It’sbeenyearssinceI’vebeenintrial,butI’ve seenmanyvoirdiresinmyday.Earlyinmycareer, I considered myself a professional second chair—thatwashowyougetthemostexperience. Ilearnedsomuchintrialandseeingthegamein play.Overtheyearsofconductingvoirdire,I havelearnedthefollowing,whichmaygowithoutsaying,butIseepeoplemessitupallthetime ...evenmeattimes!
1. BeEngaging
Thisisyourtimetoshine.Walkaroundandtalk tothepanel,befriendly,andstartconversations. Goodorbad,gettingthemtalkingiswhatyou wantthemtodo.
2. UseAnalogiesandStories
Thereisnothingmoreboringthanlegalterminology!IwasonceinatrialwithKristaMelton(aformerBexarCountyprosecutor),andsheusedan analogylikeningtraffickingtoaDisneyfavorite. Thismadeitveryeasytounderstandhowsomeone could be considered trafficked within the same city.
3. GetYourselfaSecondChair
Evenifonlyforvoirdire,donotdoitalone!Not onlyisittoughtogetalltheinformationyouneed, butitisalsonotagoodlooktothepaneltohavea lonewolfonthedefense.
4. RefertothePanelbyTheirNames
Ihaven’tmasteredthis,butIhaveseenitdone!I watchedJessicaJoynerdoajuryselectionmany yearsago,anditseemedasthoughshelearnedall thenamesofeveryoneonthepanelinrecord time.Itreallycameacrossasgenuineandhumanizedtheprocessratherthanjustsaying“juror#2!”
5. UseScaledQuestions
Thesemayseemtediousbutcanyieldamazing results.BobFeatherstonintroducedmetothis, anditworkedwell.Ittakestime,andyouneeda secondchairtogetitdoneinatimelymanner.
6. Make Sure You Get a Comment from Everyone
Thiscantieinto#5.Wehaveallbeeninthis predicament... you seat the jury, review your notestoseewhattheysaid,andrealizetheyareall thepeoplewhosaidnothing!Usingscaledquestionsofsomeformwillgetyousomethingfrom everyone.
7. PowerPointorNoPowerPoint?
Ialwaysgobackandforthonthisone.Ipersonallydon’tuseonebecauseIwantthejurytopay attentiontome.IhaveseenPowerPointpresentationsgowell,butmostofthetime,theyaren’t doneright.Keepitsimple.I’mavisualperson,so Ilikethem,butmanypeopleputthewholecode upthere,andthenthejuryisjustreadingitand notengagingorlisteningtotheattorney.
8. Be Honest About the Weaknesses in YourCase
Addresstheelephantintheroom.Jurorsappreciate candor, and acknowledging the weaknesses of yourcasecanbuildtrust.Thiscanalsohelpmitigateanynegativeimpactwhentheoppositioninevitablybringsthemup.
9.ListenMoreThanYouTalk
Voirdireisnotjustaboutwhatyousay;it’sabout whatyouhear.Paycloseattentiontothepanelists’ responses,bodylanguage,andinteractions.This willprovidevaluableinsightsintotheirbiasesand potentialleanings.
10.BuildaNarrative
Startcraftingyourcasenarrativeduringvoirdire. This sets the stage for your case and begins to guidethejurors’thinking.Acohesivestoryfrom theoutsetcanmakeyourargumentsmorecompellingandmemorable.
Implementingthesetipscansignificantlyenhance yourvoirdireprocess,ensuringamorefavorable outcomeforyourclient.Eachstepinthisprocessis crucialtounderstandingandconnectingwiththe jury,ultimatelyleadingtoamorejustandeffective defense.
Adam Paltz
1Familiarize yourself with the layout of the potentialjurors.Gotothecourtroomafew daysinadvanceandaskthedeputiesortheclerks fortheseatingdiagram.Mostcourtshavetheseat-
ingdiagramalreadylaidoutandwillgiveyoua copy.Makealargercopyoftheseatingdiagram andusethattotakenotesduringVoirDire.It makeskeepingtrackofthejurorsaloteasier.
2. Beyourself.It’sokaytoborrowideasand PowerPointslidesfromotherlawyers,butjurors cansensewhenyouarenotbeingyourself.
3. Haveasecondchairtohelpyouwithvoir dire.Itmakeslifealoteasierwhensomeoneelseis takingnoteswhileyouareuptheretalkingwith thejurors.Youwillhaveagoodsenseofwhich jurorsyoulikeanddislike,buthavingtheinformationwrittendownforjurorsisinvaluable.
4. Make sure to take notes on the jurors’ bodylanguage.Whichjurorsarepayingattention,whichonesarenoddingoff,orjustseemdisinterestedintheprocess.
5. Makesuretolayoutyourthemesandtheoriesinvoirdire.Itpreparesthejurors,evenif theyarenotawareofit,forwhatthecasewillbe about.Whenyoufinallymakethoseconnections duringthetrialthejurorswilllikelyremember thatyoudiscussedthoseissuesinvoirdire.Then inclosing,youreiteratehowyoutalkedaboutit duringvoirdireandduringthetrialtheevidence thatwaspresented.
J6. It’sokaytobenervous.Everyonegetsnervous.Thehardestpartisjustgettingupthereand tostarttalking.
7. Trytohumanizeyourselfandyourclient withthejurors.Makeconnectionsandusetheir namesifyoucan.Courtswantyoutousetheirassignednumbersbut,tryandusenames.
8. Usevisualaids.Alotofpeoplearevisual learnersandPowerPointcanbeaneffectivetoolat conveyingideas.
9. Donotgetcaughtupwastingtimewith potentialjurorsyouknowarenotgoingtomake thepanel.Ifyouhaveapotentialjurorthatyou knowisalreadygoingtobestruck,donotkeep callingonthatpotentialjuror.
10. Makesuretolockjurorsintotheiropinions.Ifajurorsaysthattheycannotbefairandimpartialforaparticularreason,makesuretoaska followupquestionaboutthefactthattheirbelief iscontrarytothelawandthattheycannotfollow thelaw.
Brian Powers
uryselectionforachildsexualabuseoffenseis themostchallengingvoirdireanattorneycan conduct.Themomentthejudgealertsthepanelto the offense, jurors will look at your client as thoughtheyhavealreadydeterminedthatheisa predator.Theywillalsoseeyouasthedevil’sadvocate.Thiscanmakeyourjobsomuchharder thanselectingajuryonalmostanyothertypeof case.ThesearerulesIapplyparticularlywiththese typesofoffenses.Itcanbedifficulttorelatetoa juryandgaintheirrespectandattention.However, it is just as critical as striking those jurors who cannot follow the law or remain impartial.
Therearesomanytipsyoucouldgetinpickinga jury,andI’lltrytoavoidthemostcommonones beyondjustlistingthemas:1.Donotreaddirectly fromanysourceordocument.2.Fornotetaking purposes,alwayshaveasecondchairattorneysit withyouduringjuryselection.3.Paycloseattentiontothejurorsinthe“hotzone”.4.Haveyour clientdressconservatively;youandyourtrialteam shoulddothesame.5.Inquirefullywiththosejurors who have previously served on a criminal jury. 6. Law enforcement isn’t always bad if they’refromotherdepartments,butlawenforcement family members are a no-no. 7. As for prospectiveattorneyjurors,avoidselectingattorneyswhoseprimarypracticeisthatofcriminalde-
fenseorprosecution.8.Suppresstheunfavorable jurorsbylettingthemknowtheyhavebeenheard, andthatyouwillspeakmorewiththemoutside thepresenceofthejury.9.Educateyourclienton howtopresenthim/herselfwhenthejurorssay somethingconcerningornegative.(Noviolent shakingoftheheadorverbaloutbursts).10.Jury selectionisthemostimportantpartofyourclient’s trial.
1. JurySelectionBeginsintheParkingLot— Presumethatmanypotentialjurorswillarrivein thesameparkinglotasyouandyourclient.Rememberthattheywillwalkthesamehalls,possiblyhearyourconversations,andseeyouandyour clientinteractwithothers.Adviseyourclienttobe cordialandprofessionalatalltimes,andtoextend courtesiestothosewithwhomtheycomeincontact.Remindthemthatyouneverknowifthepersonforwhomyouareholdingthedoorwillbethe forepersononyourjuryforthatweek.Thismay notwinyourcase,butitmakesitmuchharderfor ajurytonegativelyjudgeyouoryourclient.
2. BetheNicestPersonintheRoom—This wasahardlearnedlessontransitioningfromservingasaprosecutortobeingadefenseattorney. Theunfortunatetruthistheprosecutionhasthe presumptionofwearingthewhitehat.Theyhave thebenefitofbeingconsideredthegoodguy,the justiceseeker.Thisgivesthempermissiontobe unprofessional,evenunkindattimesallunderthe auspicesofseekingjustice.Criminaldefenseattorneysdonotgetthatsamebenefit.Defenseattorneyscannotgetawaywithbeingdefensive,overly aggressive,andhostile.Instead,wehavetogetrespecttheold-fashionedway—byearningit.By being courteous to everyone in the courtroom youbegintheprocessofbondingandestablish rapportandcredibilitywithyourpanel.Thisis particularlyimportantwithregardtosexualabuse offenses.
3. NeverArgueWithaProspectiveJuror— Youwillneverwinanargumentinjuryselection. Thisisnottosayyouarewronginyourargument orthatyoudon’thavethebetterargument,but thejurywillholdthisagainstyouandviewarguingwithajurorunfavorably,evenbullyish.Your clientwillpaytheprice.Thisisnotaboutwinning battles.Itisaboutwinningwars.Listentoandrespectyourpanel’sbeliefsandopinionsnomatter howsillyoroutrageoustheymaybe.Arguingwill onlycostyou.
Injuryselectionforasexualabuseoffense,itcan beveryeasytoangerjurors. Jurorswanttofeel liketheyaredoingtherightthingatalltimes,and thiscanmeanfindinginfavorofthechildcomplainantinyourcase.Bemindfulofthosesensitivities.Takeafine-toothedcombtoallpartsofthe trialpresentationandmakesuretoeliminatethose partsthatcouldcomeoffasoffensiveorinsensitive.Attheveryleast,modifypresentationsparts andadoptafriendlyapproach.Itisacapitalsinto presumethatajurorwillbeonyourside.Ittakes worktoearnthattrustandfavor.
4. NeverTryToConvinceYourJurors/ ThisDoesn’tMeanYouCan’tEducate
Inasexualassaultcase,therewillbejurorswhosay theyalwaysbelieveeveryallegationmadebya child.Therewillbejurorswhohavealreadymade uptheirmindastoyourclient’sguilt.Donotburn valuabletimetryingtoconvincethemotherwise. Itwillentrenchthemintheirbeliefsandalienate your favorable jurors. Have your trial partner identifyanddocumentthesejurorsandmakeattemptstostrikethemforcause.
However,donotforgetyouhavethepowerful opportunitytoeducatethosejurorswhoareopenminded.Perhapsaskingtheentirepanelwhyfalse allegationsaresocommoninchildcustodymatterswillstartadialogueandeducatethejury.This question will also plant the seed as to a complainant’smotivetoaccusebeforetheyhaveeven
seenthecomplainanttakethestand.
5. DoNotForgetGeography—Supposeyou haveasexualassaultthatisallegedtohaveoccurredinzipcode78248.Identifyotherjurors whoresideinthesamezipcode.Forexample, whereyouhaveanallegedsexualassaultthatoccurredinStoneOak,thelastthingyouwantisa jurorwhoresidesinthesameareatomakeadecisiononyourcase.Thesamezipcodecanoften make the trial personal to a juror and prohibit themfromdecidingfairlyandwithoutemotion. Warstory:Recently,inthedefenseofateenager chargedwithmurderinasmalltownitwaswell knownthatmembersofthethissmalltownsupported and respected the deceased. It was also commonknowledgethatpeopleresidinginthe surroundingareaswereawareoftheallegations andheldstrongsympathiesformyclient.Nine(9) out of sixty-five (65) jurors on the panel were fromthesmalltownwheretheoffenseoccurred. Notonethemmadeitontothejury.TheNot Guiltyverdicttookjustoveranhour.
6. Engage Every Single Juror—During the generalpartofvoirdire,engageeverysinglejuror.Thisiseasierthanitseemsandonlytakesa fewseconds.Everyjurorshouldfeelasthough theyhadanindividualhumanconnectionwith you.Thismightlooklikeasmallconversation aboutsomethingpertinenttothetrial.Itcanalso beaccomplishedbyloopingaquestionfromone jurortoanother.Itmightevenbeashortbanter aboutsomethinglessserioussuchasaquestion abouttheiroccupation.Thekeyisconnection. Connectinginsomewaytoasmanyjurorsaspossibleaidsinestablishingrapportandcredibility. ConsiderusingthestandardhypotheticalofaskingajurorthatdoesnothaveBRDwhattheirverdictwouldbe.Oncetheysay“NotGuilty”move ontothenextjuror,makeeyecontact,repeatthe questiontothemandwaitforthemtosay“Not guilty”beforemovingontothenextjuror.
7. Get Permission To Do Your Job From YourJury—Discussyourroleandcommitmentto yourclient.Educatepotentialjurorsonwhatcross examinationofachildmightlooklike.Explain whyitisnecessaryandexpectedthatweaskthe toughquestions.Explaintheneedtobeeffective inyourrepresentation.Askpermissiontoperform effectivelywithoutpunishmentorresentment.So thatwhenthecomplainanttakesthestand,youare empoweredtoaskthedifficultquestionsearlyon. Soinsteadofresentingyouforrepresentingyour clientzealously,theyinsteadthink,“Thisattorney isdoingexactlywhatIwouldwanthimtodoifI werechargedwithacrime.”Youdothisbyeducatingthemduringjuryselection.Putthemin yourclient’splaceandaskthemifaskingachild toughquestionsiswhatyouwouldexpectifyou were being falsely accused of the same charge. Eliminatethejurorswhowouldholditagainst yourclient.
8. LetThePanelKnowYouWouldLikethe OpportunitytoVisitWithThemAfterTrial—Informthepanelthatwehavetheopportunityto obtaintheirfeedbackaftertheyreturnaverdict.If thejuryknowsyoumayprobetheirmindsetafter theverdict,thenyoumayhavetheHawthorne effectofmakingthemworkharderindeliberations.
9. MakeSureYourCadenceisRelaxedand Confident—Youlosethejurywhenyouspeaktoo quickly.Askthecourtreportersifyouarespeakingtooquicklyandtheywillletyouknow.Doit atthetimeofpleaagreements. Doitforargumentsbeforethecourt.Ifyouhavearushedcadence,learnfromitandslowdown.Speakingina relaxedmannerputsyourjuryateaseandhelps withcredibility.
10. MakeaPowerPointthatSparksaConversationandDoesn’tHavethemReadingaNovel—The jury does not need a James Michener novelforaPowerPoint.Itboresthemandcreates
resentment.Byputtingupengagingpicturesthat sparkaconversationyoumakeyourpresentation morecompellingandlessexhausting. Thisenablesjurorstolookatyouandavoidstaringata screenforhalfanhour.Byusingcompellingimages and hypotheticals, you immediately surge aheadoftheprosecutionwhenitisyourturnto present.
P.S.
ByArguingLastYouCanDrawFirstBlood
—Itisanadvantagetobelastinjuryselectionand openingstatements.Lookatthestatistics.Mostjurorshavemadeuptheirmindsbythetimethetrial
1hasbegunclosingarguments.Thisisnotthecase injuryselectionandopeningstatements.Bybeinglast,thereisanopportunitytoflipthescripton theprosecution.Remainflexibleduringtheirpresentationssothatyoucanpivotbeforeitisyour turntoaddressthejury.Thisallowsyoutoadjust yourargumentsandpresentationandleavesthe stateunabletorespond.Monitorwhattheprosecutorssayandworkfasttoaddresstheirpointsor argumentsintoyourwork.ThisputstheStateon thedefensivebeforetheyhaveevencalledtheir firstwitness.
Bud Ritenour
Rememberthisisahumanendeavor.Youare tryingtorelatetohumanbeingswhowillbe judginghumanbeings—you,yourclient,andthe prosecutors.*Youwantaconversation.Evenif youhavetousejurornumbers,don’ttreatthe venireasacollectionofnumbers.Rememberwhat youshouldhavealreadytoldyourclient;thateveryjuror’s/potentialjuror’seyeswillbeonhim/ her—andyou—fromthetimetheywalkintothe courtroomuntilthetrialisover.Everyaction,reaction,grimace,smile…matters.
1.5. BEYOURSELF.Myfirstteacherofall thingsCriminalDefensewasMarkStevens(1st fullyearoftheStMary’sCriminalJusticeClinic). I wanted to be Mark Stevens. I can’t be Mark Stevens.IfailmiserablyasMarkStevens.It’sokay toask“whatwouldMarkdo,”butmakethatanswerfitwhoyouare.Thevenirecantell.
2. Decidewhatkindofjuroryouwantfor thiscasewellbeforeyoustartvoirdire.Ihave somecannedthingsIliketoharpon,specifically theburdensofproof,thepresumptions(ofinnocence,oneapplicabletoyourcase?),andespecially eachjurorreachingher/herown,personaldecision.Beyondthatdependsonthecase.
3. Inolongertrytoteachthevenireabout thelaw,orforensics,orinvestigation,etc.,unless thereisaspecificaspectimportanttomycase.Ilet theStatedroneonaboutthelaw,andthenremind thevenirethatthelawwillcomeonlyfromthe Judge,andwhatevertheStatemayhavesaidis niceforknowinghowtheyseeit,buttherealstuff comesfromtheJudge.
4. Inolongerusescaledquestions.AsIseeit, tobereallyeffectiverequiresseveralthingstogo absolutelycorrectly;howyouformthequestion, howyoupresentthequestion,howtherespondentunderstandsthequestion—iftheydo,thedesireoftherespondenttogivetruthfulanswers, correct recording and interpretation of the answers.That’stoomanyvariablesforme.Ifthe topicisreallyimportant,gobacktotip1and1.5.
5. Gobackto1and1.5.
*Ioftenask“whofiguredoutwhothedefendant waswhenyouwalkedin?”aspartofmybias/snap judgmentdiscussion.Duringthedebrieffollowingmylasttrial,severalofthejurorsrevealedthat theythoughtthedefendantwasoneoftheprosecutors(JeffreyWright).
Molly Roth
Giveyourclientsapenandpaperandaskthem towritedownjurornumbersofpeoplewho theyforsuredonotwanttohaveontheirjury.
If they can articulate it, ask them to say why. Reviewtheirnotesbeforeyoumakeyourfinal strikes.
Elizabeth Russell
1Be your genuine self. This IS a personality contest.
2. Pickwithapartner.Thereisnowayto takenotesandconnectatthesametime.
3.UseaPowerPoint,attheveryleastforthelaw.
4. KISS.Keepitsimple,stupid.Whetherit’s thePowerPointoryourpresentation,don’toverwhelmthem.
5. Getyourthemeintherebecauseyouwill circlebackinclosing.
6. Tellthemwhattoexpectandexplainobjections.Incertaincourtsyouwillhavetoobject moreandexplainhowitworks.Explaintothem
1howanappealworksandwhyyou’reobjecting.
7. Actually explain what “guilty” and “not guilty”and“mistrial”mean.Youwouldbesurprisedhowmanypeopledon’trealizeithastobe unanimous.
8. HaveaconversationwiththeCourt beforehand and understand their process. Everycourtisdifferent.
9. Talklessthantheydo.Thisistheonly timeyougettohearfromthem.
10. Getpermissionforwhateveryoudothat mightbeoffputting.InmycaseIgetpermission fromthemtobeaggressiveformyclient.
Alex Scharff
KnowtheCourtroomLayout:Makesureto learn the seating arrangement of the venire. Somecourtsofferaseatingchartwhileothersdo not.Drawyourownchartifoneisnotavailable. Thisisjuryselection101.Intworecenttrials,the judgesarrangedthevenirestartingfromrightto left.
2. HaveaPartner:Whileengagingwiththe venire, have your co-counsel write down the numbersofthevenirewhoraisedtheirhandsto theChallengesforCausequestions,e.g.Probation
(ifcanconsider),FifthAmendment,etc.Evenif yourpartnerisinexperienced,letthemtalktothe venireonachosensubject.Itisgoodexperience forthem,andthevenirelikesvariety.
3. FirstThingsFirst:AssoonasI’mgiventhe venirelist,Ifliptotheendtoseeifthereareany potentiallygoodjurorswhoprobablywon’tget selected.Ifsomeareattheback,Iaskforashuffle. Ialsocomparethemtothepeopleatthefrontof thelistbeforerequestingashuffle.Useyourbest judgment.
4. Be friendly, professional, respectful and courteous to everyone in the courtroom: The venirewillwatcheverythingyoudoandhowyou doit.Treatothersasyouwouldwanttobetreated—theclient,thevenire,theJudge,theprosecutors,thebailiffs,theclerksandthecourtreporters.
5. Themeofthecase:Developthethemeof yourcase.Manyofushavehadtotrycaseswhere thechanceofacquittalisslim.“TheStatecannot provethecasebeyondareasonabledoubt,”isthe theme I’ve used in these kinds of jury trials. Whetherthethemeisself-defense,necessity,etc., hammeryourthemethroughoutjuryselection.
6. Don’t Read; Ask and Talk: I’ve seen lawyersusePowerPointpresentationsonlytoread whatisonthescreen.I’vefounditmoreeffective toaskquestionsandtalktothepanelonahuman level.Isharelifeexperiences,lighthumor,andattempttorelatetoeverymemberonthepanel.Be yourself!
7. Don’tLecture:Pickasubject,explainthe law,thenaskquestions.Basedontheresponses, askthepanelwhoagreesordisagreeswithanother panel member’s viewpoint. Probe professionally andpolitely.Selectpeoplewhohavestayedquiet orchoosesomeonewhoseviewsareobvious.Get theentirepanelinvolved.Themore,themerrier.
8. AskforPermission:Especiallyinsexcases whereyouplantoattacktheComplainant’scredibility,askthepaneliftheyoralovedonewere chargedwithasimilarcrime,wouldtheywant theirattorneytozealouslyrepresentthem.Then askforpermissiontoaskthetoughquestions.You had better find out who would not give you permission.
9. PresumptionofInnocenceandBeyondA ReasonableDoubt:Iemphasizethesetothepanel fromthebeginning.Peopledonotpresumeanyonetobeinnocent,nordotheymakelifedeci-
sionsbeyondareasonabledoubt.Rather,theyare judgingtheclient,thelawyersandoneanother throughouttheprocess.Iliketousenonlegalexamplesofhowpeopledonotgothroughlifepresumingotherstobeinnocent,nordotheymake everydaydecisionsbasedonthebeyondareasonabledoubtstandard.
10. PreserveError:Brushuponpreservingerrorpriortothejuryselectionprocess.Ifapanel memberanswersaquestioninawaytheycanbe challengedforcause,askthepanelmember,“Ifthe Judgeinstructsyouthatyouarenottousethe client’s Constitutional Right to remain silent againsthim(forexample),wouldyoubeableto follow that instruction?” If you don’t ask that question,thentheerrorisnotproperlypreserved.
11. ASuccessfulJurySelection:Thebestjury selectionconsistsoftheveniredoingallthetalking.Whilethatisn’talwaysthecase,it’smyjobto findthevenirepersonswhoshouldbechallenged forcauseandtheoneswhomustbestricken.Educatingthejuryisalsoaprimarygoalofthejury selectionprocess.ThebestpanelIeverhadwasin WilliamsonCountyafterMichaelMortonwasexoneratedandtheprosecutorsresponsibleforhis convictionweredisbarredordefeatedintheelection.Localco-counselremarkedthatthevenire wasthebesthehadeverseeninhistwenty+year careerinthatcounty.Theclientwasacquittedof IndecencywithaChild.
Mark Stevens
1Byfarthemostimportantthingyoumustdois identifyandgetridofthosewhoscareyouthe most.Althoughsimplisticandnotentirelyfair,I callthesepeople“killers.”Theycometothecourthousepredisposedtobelievewhattheprosecutors andpolicesay.Theyareconfidentthatanyoneaccusedofacrimeisguiltyofsomething,orthey wouldnotbeincourt.Andtheyperceiveusas mouthpieces who will say anything to get our clientsoff.Theirattitudesarefixedand,nomatter howpersuasivewethinkourselves,wearenotgoingtochangethewaythekillerthinks.Sodon’t wasteyourprecioustimetrying.Useintelligent questionsandeverysenseandskillyoupossessto outthekillers.(Thispublicationisfilledwithexamples of excellent questions conceived by lawyers far better at picking juries than I am). Then use the legal tools you have—cause and peremptorychallenges—tosendthemhome.And don’tforgetyourrighttoajuryshufflethatmight allowyoutomoveascaryvenirepersonortwo outsidethestrikezone,ifyouhavealittletimeto viewtheprospectivejurors,andtoreviewtheir information—andjustalittleluck.
2. After exposing the killers, use the time remainingtoeducatethosewhocanbeeducated. BexarCountylawyersarelucky.Yes,wehaveour shareofintransigent,hard-corekillers—andoccasionallyevenmorethanourshare.Butwecanalso reasonablyexpecttohaveonanypanelanadequatenumberofpotentialjurorswhoareintelligent,open-minded,andgood-hearted,andwho cansaythewords,“notguilty.”Thatdoesnot mean,however,thatthesegoodonescometothe courthousejury-ready.Nomatterhowtrulydecentmanypeopleare,mostareunfamiliarwith thoseprinciplesthatwetakeforgrantedandthat areourlifeblood.Sowehavetoleavetimeduring voirdiretodiscussessentialconcepts,including, among others, the presumption of innocence,
proofbeyondareasonabledoubt,therightnotto testify,andthepurposeofcross-examination.
3. Thevenireshouldcometoregardyouas themostcrediblelawyerinthecourtroom,and theonewhosincerelybelievesinachievingthe rightresultinthetrialabouttohappen.While you’reexposingandeliminatingthekillersand educatingtherest,youmustbehaveinamanner thatcausesthepeoplewhowillenduponthejury tobelievethatyouarethemostcrediblelawyerin the courtroom. Whenever you say anything— whetherduringthevoirdireitself,orwhenmakingobjections,orquestioningwitnesses,orarguingyourcase—youwantthejurytobelieveevery wordyousay.Don’tpromisesomethingunless youcandeliver.Ihopethatthejurorslikeme,but itismoreimportantthattheytrustmenottolieto themorthejudge,andthattheyknowIsincerely believeinthepersonIrepresent,andthatIwill vigorouslyfightforthatpersonduringthetrial. Actlikeyouknowwhatyouaredoing,object whenyoumust—neverfrivolously—anddon'tinitiateorbedrawnintosnarky,pettyquarrelswith youropponentorthejudge.
4. “ThelessIsay,themoremyworkgets done.”Thoughthislyricwasdoubtlessnotmeant asavoirdiretip,lawyersshouldlistentoSirElton John.Theclockisourbiggestenemy.Weare luckytoget45minutesforgeneralvoirdireina felonycase.Youhavetobesmartaboutwhatyou cover,andruthlessaboutcuttingoutallbuttheessential. Time flies! Talk less and ask “looping” questionsthatencouragejurorstotalkandeducate notonlyyou,butalsoeachother.Listeningtothe wordsthejurorsthemselvesuseisafarbetterway tolearnaboutthejurorsthanjusthavingthem raisetheirhandsandnodtheirheadstoyourleadingquestions.Andjurorswhocorrectlyendorse— intheirownwords,notyours—thosefundamental
conceptslikethepresumptionofinnocence,are farmoreeffectiveatteachingtheirpeersonthe jurythanyouandIwilleverbeifwesimplylecture.
5. Individuals, not stereotypes. The legendarylawyerClarenceDarrowwroteanarticlefor Esquire magazinein1936proposingthatan "Irishman...isemotional,kindlyandsympathetic ...[andyou]wouldbeguiltyofmalpracticeifyou gotridofhim,exceptforthestrongestreasons." Similarly,Jewsandagnosticsshouldbekeptand notevenquestioned.The"Englishman"andthe "German" were less favorable tothe underdog, while Presbyterians and Baptists should be avoided,andLutherans,especiallyScandinavians, "arealmostsuretoconvict."Asforwomen,Darrowcountedhimselfluckythathehadalmostfinishedhiscareerwhenthey"invadedthejurybox." Idon'tknowifDarrow’sstereotypeswereuseful tohimahundredyearsago,butIamcertainthey havenoplaceinamodemcourtroom.Intelligent peopledon'tchoosetheirfriendsbygender,race, religion, or national origin, and intelligent lawyersdon'tchoosetheirjuriesthatwayeither.
6. Don’teventhinkaboutdoingitalone.I usedtosay,“gethelpifyoucan.”Myadvicenow is,“gethelp.”Period,fullstop.Havingahelperis notaluxury;itisessential.Toomanythingsare happeningforonepersontohearandseeanddo everythingthatgoesintoseatingthebestjury.So, getsomeonetohelpyou.Rememberthough,that inanyteamventure,someonehastomakethefinaldecisions,andthatisthelawyerwhomustlater relatetoandpersuadethosejurorsinthebox.Listen to the colleague helping you, and to your client,butyouknowyourcase,andyouknow yourself,andifyoudisagreewiththeiropinions aboutajuror,don'thesitatetomaketheexecutive decision.
7. Scout your prosecutor, your judge, and your courthouse. Judges and prosecutors pick
morejuriesthanwedo,andtheyhaveadistinct advantage because of their superior experience. Mostarecreaturesofhabit,though,andtheytypicallydoandsaymuchofthesamethingsevery time,regardlessofthetypeofcaseontrial.Ifyou haveajurytrialapproachinginaparticularcourt, orwithacertainprosecutor,goinearlyandwatch avoirdireandgetaninvaluablepreviewofcomingattractions.Whattimelimitsdoesyourjudge imposeandistherecaselawyoucanfindand bringtoyourtrialtoconvinceyourjudgethatshe isabouttocommitreversibleerrorfornotgiving youenoughtime?(Thereis.)Doesyourjudgerequireyoutomakeyourchallengesforcausein frontoftheentirepanel?
Howmuchinformationwillyourjudgerequire youtogetfromyourvenirepersonsbeforeyou bringthembackforindividualquestions?Some prosecutors love cutesy examples, that, the first timeyouhearthem,seemeitherimproper,orsurprisinglypowerful,and,occasionally,both.With timetodoyourresearch,youmightbeabletofind acaseonpointdemonstratingtheimproprietyof theexample.Eveniftheexampleislegal,with timetothinkaboutit,youcancomeupwitha waytocounterit,tobluntitseffect,orbetter,to fliptheprosecutors’sstoryaltogether,anduseit againstthem.Wehaveallheardprosecutorstalk about rain to illustrate circumstantial evidence, andpicturesoftheStatueofLibertytolowertheir burdenofproof.TakealookatBobbyBarrera’s tipsinthispublicationwhereheshamesthesetired examplesandremindsthejurorsthat“thisisnota gameshow,”thatthe“lawdoesnotallowyouto ‘guess’anything,”andthatthere“isnothingfunny aboutsittingwhere”hisclientissitting“‘wonderingwhetherheisgoingtoprisonforanoffensehe didn’tcommit.”Thesmartprosecutorwhogetsa rejoinderlikethatwillthinktwicenexttime.
8. UsePowerPoint,butdon’toveruseit.Isay thisrespectfully:Mostlawyerswhoareopposedto
PowerPointarethosewhohaven'tbotheredto learnhowtodoit.IknowbecauseIusedtobe thatlawyer.ThenInoticedhoweverytimemy opponentputanewslideup,alltheeyesinthe courtroomwentthere.Idon'tcarehowgooda speakeryouare,youwillneverhaveeveryonelisteningtoyoureveryspokenword.Awordof caution,though.IlovePowerPoint,and,asaresult,Ihaveatendency(thatIamtryingtocorrect) tooveruseit,byhavingtoomanyslides,andtoo manywordsontheslides.Andbyallmeans,insist onreviewingyourprosecutor’sslidesbeforeshe showsthemtothejury,thenobjecttoanyslides thatcontainmisstatementsofthelaw,improper commitmentquestions,orothermattersthatthe juryshouldnotseeduringvoirdire.Ihavenever hadaprosecutororajudgerefusethisrequest.But knowthatthiswilltriggerareciprocaldemandto seeyourslides.Whenthathappensaskthatthe judgetakeabreakaftertheprosecutor’sgeneral voirdire,andthatthereviewofyourslidestake placethen,andnotbefore.Itwouldnotbefairfor the prosecutor to see your slides before their presentation.
9. Pretriallitigationgoeshandinhandwith voirdire.Litigateasmanyissuesasyoucanbefore juryselection.Thejuryyouselectandyourexaminationofthosejurorswilldifferdependingon whetherthebloodtest,ortheconfession,orthe DNAevidence,isadmittedattrial.Youhaveto havetheState’switnesslistsoyoucanasktheju-
rorsiftheyknowanypersonswhomighttestify againsttheaccused.Well-tailoredmotionsinlimine will prevent the prosecutors from spoiling yourcasebeforeitstarts.Ifyourscoutingtellsyou yourjudgewillimposeanunreasonabletimelimit ormightpreventyoufromaskingquestionsthe lawallows,bringyourlawandargueyourpositionsbeforevoirdirebegins.Andyouhaveto haveacourtreportertotakedowneverything thathappensduringvoirdire.
10. Technique is essential, but you have to knowalittlelaw.Actually,youneedtoknow quiteabitoflaw,becausethereisalotoflawthat, ifeffectivelyargued,willenableyoutoasknecessaryandproperquestions,andpreventyouropponent from asking improper ones. There are statutesandcasesthatmakeclearwhenjurorscan beremovedperemptorily,andforcause.Anddespitewhatsomejudgesseemtobelieve,theydo nothaveunbridleddiscretiontolimityourtime. Juryselectionisseenaspracticalandtechniqueoriented,andevenperformative,andproperlyso. Thatsaid,wearealllawyers,andreallawyersdependonthelaw.Iwon’tmakemylonglistoftips anylongerbyincludingmyfavorites.Takealook atthetipsinthispublicationbyJosephEsparza andMichaelGross,whichprovideseveralessential cases.Andforanexcellentoverviewofthelawof voirdire,seekoutarecentCLEpublicationonthe subjectbyStephanieStevens.
Stephanie Stevens
1Judgesandcourtreportersarenotusuallyfans ofvoirdireandthus,trytolimityourtime.Be sureyouknowaboutexistingcaselawtopreserve anyerrorifyouarecutoff. See Ratliff v. State, 690 S.W.2d 597 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).
2. Evenwithcaselawonyourside,expect thejudgetotrytorushyou.Thisdoesnotmean
youneedtospeakfasterorskipoveranyvenire members.Checkwithyourjudgebeforeyourtrial abouttheamountoftimehe/sheallowsandplan accordingly.
3. Theworstmistakeistofailtospeakwith someoneinyourstrikezone,sofocusfirstonthis group.Workonthequietones.Itrytohaveopen-
endedquestionsreadyforthequietjurorstoget themtoopenup,suchas“Whatwouldyouthink wouldbetheworstpartaboutservingonajury? Whatmightbethebestpart?”
4. Useyourstrikeseffectively.Donotstrike sleepy or bored jurors just because they seem sleepyorbored.Sleepingjurorsmightbegoodfor you.Donotbeafraidofeducatedjurors.Many timesitisthebettereducatedjurorsthatarenot afraidtosaynotoauthorityfiguresliketheD.A.
5. Watchyourfacialexpressionsandbody language.Wefrequentlyconveyfarmorethanwe realizewithourheadnods,grimaces,orsmiles.It’s usuallybettertohaveapokerface.
6. MostlawyersusePowerPointnowandit canbepowerful.Ifyouuseit,besurethatyour fontislargeenoughforeveryonetoseeandthat youdonothaveslidesdensewithwriting.You don’twantjurorsreadingalongslideinsteadof listeningtoyou.
Also,besuretorequirethestatetoputtheirslides intotherecord,ifanypartofthePowerPointis objectionable.Theappellatecourtcannotreview yourclaimonappealwithouttheobjectionable slidetoreview.
17. Befriendly.Thismeansmovingaround andstandingascloseasyoucantotheperson speaking. Make eye contact and truly listen to their answers. Sometimes when we are getting negativeanswers,wetendtointerruptandtalk overthepotentialjuror.Notonlywillthismake yourcourtreporterangry,itwillhaveachilling effectontherestofthepanel.Thepanelwillassumeyoudon’treallywanttolistentowhatthey havetosay,ifyouinterrupt.
8. Trytothinkofwaystoconveylegalconcepts in plain English. Use of hypotheticals or analogiescangoalongwaytowardsallowingthe paneltounderstandtheconcepts.
9. Ifyouaregoingtothejuryforpunishment,donotforgettodiscussitinvoirdire.But youshouldbesuretoexplainthatyouareonly talkingaboutitatthisstagebecausethelawrequiresyoutoo.Icompareittoputtingonmyseat beltbeforeleavingmyhouse,eventhoughIplan ondrivingcarefullyandfollowingthelaw.Sometimes crazy and unplanned events occur and I wanttobeasreadyaspossible.
10. Workonyourchallengesforcause.The bestwaytohavemorethanenoughstrikesisto removethemajorityofbadjurorswithchallenges.
Robin Teague
Becarefulaboutreinforcingormakingthe jurythinkaboutthenegativesinyourcase. Theprosecutionwilldoagoodjobbringingout your negatives. How do you think positively? How do you persuade the jury to think positively?
2. Howdoyouwanttodescribeyourself, yourrole? Bearinginmindthattheprosecutor willdescribetheprosecutionasrepresentingthe stateofTexas,ortheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Doyouwanttotellthejuryyouareacriminaldefenselawyer?Yes,beproudofthat,whenitcomes up.Goodmorning.Iam(name),acriminaldefenselawyer?Or,Goodmorning.Iam(name)and Irepresent/willdefend(theaccused,)(name)?
3. Howdoyouwanttointroduceyourclient, thedefendant?Irepresentthedefendant?Or,my clientisthedefendant?Or,seatednexttome(in thistrial)is(name)?Or,Irepresent(name)?
4. Whatdoyouwanttocallyourclient? TheState(grandjury)accusesmyclientof(e.g. murder)?Or,theStateaccusesdefendantof(e.g. murder)? Or,theStateaccuses(name)of(e.g. murder)?
5. Howdoyouwanttorefertothecase? ThisisthehardestcaseIhaveevertried?Or,this isoneofthehardestcasestodefend? Or,The Statecontendsthat(name)intendedtomurder X?Intent.Intenttomurder?Doyouknowhow toproveintent? Intenttomurder?
6. Whatdoyouthink(name)(orI)haveto/ shouldprove?
7. Whatdoyouwanttoknowfromus?
8. Doyouthink(name)isguilty?
9. Whatdoyouthinkaboutthepresumption ofinnocence?
10. Whatdoyouthinkabouttheburdenand standardofproof? Thatis,whatdoyouthink aboutrequiringthestatetoprove(name)isguilty, beyondareasonabledoubt?
Robert A. Valdez
Voirdireisthemostimportantpartofthetrial soitstandstoreasonalawyershouldhavea strongvoirdireifheorsheexpectstobesuccessfulingettinganotguiltyverdict.
Hopefullythefollowingtipswillhelpingetting asuccessfulnodfromthejury.
Introduceyourselfandespeciallyyourclientto thejurytohumanizehim.Ishemarried?Doeshe havechildren?Hisoccupation?Bebrief.
Compliment the jurors. If possible, memorize theirnamesandcallthembytheirnamesrather thanbytheirnumberwhenaddressingtheindividualjuror.
Explainthedifferenceofthefunctionofthepolicetoarrestandthefunctionofthejurytodeterminewhethertheclientisguiltyornotguilty.
Policeofficersneedonlyprobablecausetoarrest apersonbutthejuryneedstobesatisfiedthatthe evidence is beyond a reasonable doubt before theycanconvict.
Thejurymustnothaveonedoubtbasedonreason beyond a reasonable doubt before convicting a personofacrime.
Explaintheburdensofproofbeginningwithno evidence,reasonblesuspicion,probablecause,preponderanceoftheevidence,clearandconvincing, andbeyondareasonble doubt.
Explain that the government can terminate the rightsofaparentandtakeawayachildonclear andconvincingevidencebuttheevidencetoconvict someone is higher, beyond a reasonable doubt.
Goovertheelementsofthecrimewiththejury.
Poundthefacttothejurythatbeyondareasonable doubtisthehighestburdeninourlawandhigher thanterminatingtherightsofaparent.
I usually will ask a young juror, preferably a woman,ifshehaschildren.Iftheydo,Iwillask her:
Q.Howmuchevidencedoyoubelievethegovernmentshouldhavebeforeitcantakeawayyour children?
Theyalwaysseemtosay,"theybetterhavealot."
Explainthattheburdentotakeawaychildrenis clearandconvincing,whichislowerthanthe burdenofbeyondareasonabledoubt—theburdentheyareusingtodecidethecasetoday.
Committhemtoagreethattheywillholdthe statetothehighburdenofbeyondareasonable doubt.
Inyourclosingargumentyoucanremindthem oftheircommitment.
Reservationsofservingonthejury?
1Q. “There are some cases where you just can’t makethepromisetobecompletelyimpartial.It doesnotmeanthatyouarenotagoodperson.Itis justforthattypeofcaseyoucannotbeagoodjuror."Ithenexplainthatinacaseinvolvingsexual assaultofachildyoucannotbeagoodjuror.
Jurorsfeelingaboutjudgingthecredibilityofwitnesses:
Q.Haveyoubeeninasituationwhereyouhaveto listentoconflictingstoriesanddecidewhichone tobelieve?
Verdictsmustbeunanimous.Closingpause. "Ladiesandgentlemen,Iappreciateyourhonesty, candorandpatience,welookforwardtopresentingourcasetoyou."
Christian Vega
It’sokaytolectureduringvoirdireifthat’s whatthecaserequires.Moreoftenthannot, it’syourjobtogetthepaneltalkingsoyoucan listen,andmoreimportantly,soyoucanlearn.
2. Makethejurorscomfortablewiththeir ownbiases.Mentionsomeofyourown.Maybe, justmaybe,they’llbehonestenoughtoshowyou whythey’rewrongforthecase.
3. Youhaveashortwindowtorequesta shuffle.Ifyoucan,makequickworkofthefirst andlastjurorsintheinformationpacketassoon asyoureceiveit.
4. TakenotesonwhattheStatedidn’taddressinvoirdire.Iftheprosecutorsaren’tpreparedanddon’taddresssomethinglikemutual combatwhenthat’sacleardefenseinthecase,the State may begin to speak with their witnesses aboutyourdefense(s)whentheylearnofthemfor
thefirsttime.There’salsothepossibilitythatthey won’t disclose those 39.14 witness statements. Takingnotesonwhattheymissinvoirdirewill helpyoubereadyfora39.14violationifyoudiscoveronelaterinthetrial.
5. MovetoinspecttheState’svoirdirePowerPointbeforetheybegin.Mostjudgeswon’thave anissuewithbothpartiesobjectinginadvance.If youthinkyouhaveanobjectionableslideonyour PowerPoint,considerdeletingtheslideandaddressthatissueorally.
6. Find a way to connect with the panel. Whatdoyoucareabout?Youmaynotbeableto bondwithajuroroverfarming,tennis,orsailing, but there are always books, movies, and other thingsthatmayhelpyoufindcommonground.
7. Useprofessionstodigdeeper.Ifyouhave ateacheronthepanel,consideraskingwhattheir
studentswouldsayaboutthem.Wouldthestudentssaytheirteacheriskind,strict,etc.?How wouldtheteacherjudgecredibilitywhenthey gettwodifferentversionsofthesameeventfrom theirstudents?
8. Talk about wrongful convictions in Texas.FewthingsmaketheState’sburdenfeelas heavyasittrulyis.Ifyoutalkaboutwrongful convictionsinvoirdire,youcancirclebacktoit inclosing.
Beyourself,beauthentic,bekind:
9. Ifajurorishonestenoughtorevealwhy theyarebiased,askifthey’veprivatelysharedtheir viewswithanyonethatday.Evenashortbreakcan resultinjurytaint.
10. Ifyouencounterahostilejurorthatbegins todisruptyourvoirdire,cutthemoffwhenyou canandmoveon.Theymaycontinuetoraisetheir hand,butifthey’retryingtoarguewithyourather thansharinganopinion,you’llknow.
Meenu Walters
o Ifthere’sonethingajurycaneasilypick upon,it’sBS.Besincere.Whenyouareauthentically yourself, humans trust you more, and a jury trusting you is imperative to success. But also,bekind.We’rehumanandwegetdefensive ifwefeelattackedforourviews.
• Doyourhomeworkonthejudgeandcourt:
o Knowhowthejudgewilloperate.How muchtimewillyouget?Wherewillthecourtreportersitduringjuryselection?Howdoesthe judgehandlestrikes?Aretheremotionsinlimine youneedtofilebeforejuryselection?
• Doyourhomeworkontheprosecution:
o Figureoutiftherearetypicalthingsthe prosecutordoesinjuryselection.Mostofthem haveawash-rinse-repeatmethodologyandare recyclingtalkingpointsandpresentationslides. Whatexampleswilltheyusethatyoucanflipon them?
• And also do your homework on your audience:
o Juriesaren’tone-size-fits-all.Demographicschange.ABexarCountyjurywillbedifferent thanoneinHaysCountyorAtascosaorTravis. Thinkaboutwhoshowsupforjuryduty,who phonesitinandwhoiseagertogeton.Whatdo thosedifferentdemographicsmeantoyou?Researchthedemographicsforthecountyandfigure outwhoyou’retalkingto.
• Thecourtroombelongstoyou:
o WhenIwasaprosecutor,Iwastaughtthat thecourtroombelongstome.Asadefenseattorney,weoftenfeellikewe’revisitorsinthatspace. Wearen’t.Thecourtroombelongstoyouasmuch asitdoestheprosecutor.Getinthere,learnthe techavailable,askforwhatyouneed,andmakeit yourspace.Yourjurypanelwillpickuponyour comfortaseasilyastheywillpickuponyourdiscomfort.
• Getthemtalking:
o Whatistheonetalentweasadefensebar knowweshare?Thegiftofgab.Somejuriesare quiet.Afternoonjuriesareoftenquiet,tired,and annoyed.Theprosecutorgotthroughthemand barelyanythingwassaid.Get‘emtalking.You won’t know your audience unless they tell you
whotheyare.
• Bebold:
o Saythingsthatareuncomfortable.Ifthere are crickets, acknowledge the crickets. If you havenothingincommonwiththem,tellthem youdo.Becauseyoudo.Readmynexttipabout theConstitution.
• TheConstitutionisyourBFF:
o Get the jury to really understand their role.“YouandIhavethesamejobinthiscourtroom.Westandunitedtoprotectourcitizens fromthetyrannyofthestate.Wearethelineof defensethattheConstitutionrequiresforjustice.”
1Knowthelayoftheland:
• Befearless:
o Lean into the punches. We get scared whensomeonesayssomethingthathurtsourclient orhurtsourcase.Butleanintothosepunchesand findoutmore.Whoagrees?Whodoesn’t?Why?
• Youdon’tknowthepanelistsbetterthanthey knowthemselves:
o Trustthemwhentheysaysomethingcontrary to your client and case. Your belief that teachersoryoungpeopleoranydemographicwill feelacertainwayisfineandusuallybasedoneducated guesses and emotional intelligence, but if theytellyouthey’regoingtoslamyourclient, believethem.
Jonathan Watkins
AreyouinCountyCourt?DistrictCourt?It's smart to walk through the actual courtroom a weekortwobeforeyourtrial(ifpossible).What typeofsetupdoesyourassignedcourtroomhave? Whichpresidingjudgeareyouinfrontof?Each courtroomhasauniquelayout;andmosthavepapercopyseatingcharts.Ifyouareusingtechnology (ex. Powerpoint presentation) be sure to knowwhereyourflashdrivemustgo;andhow touseaclickertogothroughyourslides.Ifyou moveforajuryshuffle,willthepresidingbailiff provideyouanewlist?Howdoesyourjudge handlechallengesforcause?Ourfirmrecently wenttotrialona2nd-degreeaggravatedfelony. Iwassuremynotesandtheirresponseswouldget mymotiongranted;butthejudgewewerein frontofdeniedallsixofourmotionsbecausewe did not get the venireperson to say he or she "wouldviolatetheiroath."Youwanttomaximizeyourabilitytostrikeforcause;justbesure to see how your judge handles these motions.
WillIhaveenoughtimetodoageneralandspecificvoirdire,orwillIneedtolumpitallintoone presentation?
2. Make wise and functional use of technology:
Reviewyourpresentationaheadoftimeandpracticeit.Youdon'tneedanaudiencebutthatmay assistaswell.Youmustspendtimegettingyour voiceandtonedown.Itwillallflow
naturallyoncejuryselectionbegins,butexperiencehastaughtmetousemyvocalchords.Ifyou haveapanelof75individuals,perhapsthelast2530peoplemaynotcatchyourattention,butyou stillmustgivethesepeopleyourattention.Askthe paneliftheycanhearandunderstandwhatyouare saying.Donotgetstuckonaslide,oraquestion fromanunrulypanelmemberfortoolong.Berespectful, answer to the best of your ability and moveon.ThinkofwhenyoutooktheMBEsectionofthebarexam…youdidnothavetimeto
gethungupononequestionfortoolong.
3. Advocateforyourclient:
Personalizeyourclient.Callthembytheirfirst name.Walkupcloselytoyourclient,lookthem intheeye,andthenconnectwiththepanel... declaring"thepurposeofjuryselectionistoensure_______receivesafairtrial.Doesanyone haveanissuewiththis?Ifyoucan,giveabrief introductionandmentionyourclient'soccupationandwhethertheyhavetheirownfamily.If youhavetime,alsobrieflyacquaintthejurywith yourbackground,andyourtrialpartner'sbackgroundtoo.
4. Speak to the panel, not down on the panel:
Beahumbleservant.Speakinplainterms,and makeyourpointseasytounderstand.Ifyouhave ahardtimedoingthis,focusonyourhypotheticalsandmaketheexampleseasyforanyoneto understand."BeyondaReasonableDoubt,"and otherlegaljargoncanincitenervesandfearfor some.Breakitdownforthem,andspeaktothem ascounterparts…thiswillgoalongway.Fartoo oftenI'veseenlecturesgivenbyattorneys;not onlycanthisbeinterpretedascondescending,it canalsobeahugedisservicetoyourclient.
5. Makeatleastonejoke,ortwo:
Ourjobsarefilledwithendlessstressasitis.Smile. Connect.Laugh.Criminaltrialsoftendealwith very sensitive material, and are typically always highstakes.Alotofprosecutorshaveatendencyto beroboticduringjuryselection,orarefarmore concernedwithstickingtotheirgameplan.Break uptheawkwardsilencewithajokeorsomelightheartedbanter.Alwaysavoidanytypeofpolitical discussion.Doyourbesttomakethecourtroomas inviting as possible. You are trying to establish trustandrapportwithsomeonewhomayendup judgingyourclientonhisorhermostimportant day.
6. Pickonindividuals(politely):
I'vefoundthatwritingdownafewnamesofpanel membersandobservingdetailsabouttheirlivesis helpful.IfyouknowMrs.Smithhasthree(3)childrenbetweentheagesof10-25andyouaretrying achildabusecaseandachildwitnesshascredibility concerns,pickonherforyourhypothetical.Ask howshediscernswhenherchildrenaretellinga truthormakingupalie.Refertothepanelmemberbytheirsurnameifpossible.Alotofpanel memberswillremainstoicallysilent.Youmustget themtoopenup…evenifyou'reaskingabasic questionabouttheirjobandwhatitistheydofor aliving.
David Andre Woodard
1Answeryourjurysummons.Ifyouareever summonedtojuryselection,Go!Ihavereceivedajurysummonsthreetimesandeachtime Ihaveshownupandgottenselectedforapanelin afelonycase.Ihavelearnedmoreaboutthejury selectionprocessbybeingapotentialjurorthanI haveeverlearnedasanattorneytryingcases.Asa potentialjuroryougettowatchattorneysconductjuryselectionwithabird’seyeview.While
sittinginthegallery,younoticetheattorneysevery move, their positioning in the well of the courtroom, their voice inflection (can you hear themadequately?),theirexplanationofcomplex legalconcepts.Thelistisendless.Also,mostimportantly,yougettoeavesdroponpotentialjurors inthehallwaywhilewaiting.AndIwillbehonest, itisterrifyingwhattheydiscuss;fromhowmuch prison time to give the defendant (even before
hearinganyevidence),towhattheattorneyswere wearing,tolegalshowstheyallseemtowatch andenjoyontelevision.So,ifyoueverreceive thatjurorsummons,clearyourcalendar,takethe dayoffwork(trustme,youwon’tgetselected), donotdresslikeanattorney,fitin,andlearn.
2. Prepareyourclient.Explaintoyourclient howjuryselectionisconducted.Preparethemto behavelikeyourco-counsel.Impressuponthem thatfromtheminutethejurypanelwalksinuntil thetimetheyleavetheyarewatchingeverything hedoes.Iwantmyclienttoparticipateandassist mebypayingattentionandtakingnotes.Make suretheyhaveanotepadandpenandjotdown thenumberofveniremembersthatgivethem concern.It’stheirfreedomonthelineandthey needtobeinvestedintheprocessfromthebeginning.Whenyourclientisengagedandactivein theprocessitsendsthesignaltothepotentialjurorthatyourclientisnotjustadefendant,buthe isanactiveparticipantandisthepersonmost affectedbytheoutcomeofthetrial.Yourclient shouldhaveanopinionaboutwhoyouselectand whoyoustrike.Evenifyoudisagreewiththeir logiconapotentialreasonforastrike,hearthem outbecausetheyseethingsdifferentlythanyou do.DonotgiveyourclientacopyoftheJury List! Potential jurors do not want to see your clientthumbingthroughalistwiththeirpersonal informationonit.
3. IdentifyandIgnoretheIdiots.Ifyoucan’t spottheidiotwithinfiveminutesofjuryselection,thenyouaretheidiot.Youcanusuallyidentifythemwhentheywalkintothecourtroom, andyoucancertainlyidentifythemaftertheybeginansweringquestionsduringtheState’svoir dire.Itisanaturalhabittoconfronttheidiotregardingtheirviewsormisconceptionsaboutthe lawandoftenyourclient.Don’ttakethebait,becausetheidiotmaybesmartenoughtochangea previously challengeable for cause answer and offeronethatpreventsyoufromusingachal-
lengeforcausestrike. Oncehehassaidsomething thatwillchallengehimforcauseduringtheState’s presentationitisnotyourjobtoreaffirmhisidiocrasybecausethemoreyougivetheidiotaplatformthemoreyouruntheriskofhisfoolishness infiltratingtheothermembers.Justidentifyand ignoretheidiots,thenstrikethemforcause!
4. Batson. Batson has nothing to do with yourrace,orevenyourclient’srace.Ithaseverythingtodowiththeraceofthejuror.Asablack attorneyIgointoeachtrialknowingwherethe blackjurorsareinthepanelandoftentimes,Ipurposefullydonotaskthemanyquestions.TheState sometimes also fails to ask them any questions. ThenwhentheJudgereadsoutthetwelvejurors selected, guess who is missing? Yep, the black venire member that never even opened their mouthoransweredaquestion.Batsontime!The Statethenmustarticulateareasontojustifystrikingtheblackjurorthatneveropenedtheirmouth. Ihaveheardreasonssuchasthepersonsmiledat Mr.Woodard(sodidmanyofthewhiteandHispanicjurors).Thepersonnoddedtheirheadwhen Mr. Woodard was talking (so did many of the whiteandHispanicjurors).IftheJudgedeniesthe challenge, you have an appellate issue and the recordispreservedonwhytheStatestruckapotentialjurorandtheirjustification,orlackthereof.
5. Beateacherandnotapreacher.Youare thelastpersontospeaktothejuryduringthejury selectionprocess.Theadministratorsinthecentral juryroomhavetalkedtothem,thebailiffshave talkedtothem,theJudgehastalkedtothem,the Statehastalkedtothem,andnowtheymustlisten toyou.Trustme,theyarephysicallyandmentally drainedwhenyougetupbeforethem.Theyhave been preached to all morning. They are tired. Teachthemandbeginguidingthemwhereyou eventuallywanttotakethemcomeclosingargument.Mostofthemhaveneverbeeninacourtroomandtheextentoftheirknowledgeofthelaw isfromtelevision.Sonowisyourtimetodispel
mythsandrumorsandeducatethemonyourtheoriesandthelawanddetermineiftheyrequire more guidance. Teaching requires patience. A questionmaysounddumbbutbegladtheyare askingitandexplainitasifthejurorisathreeyear-old.Otherjurorswillappreciatehowyou tookthetimeandefforttomakesureeveryoneis
clearandunderstandsacertainissue. Weareall highlyeducatedindividuals,duringjuryselection weshouldnotsoundlikeacollegephilosophyprofessor but more like a six-grade math teacher. Bringtheselegalconceptsdowntothelevelthata childcanunderstandthem.
UPCOMING CLEs:
Nuts & Bolts
October 11, 2024
Central Jury Room
JosephEsparza
HOME RUNS!
Joseph Esparza won a hotly contested generalcourtmartiallastweekatFortSam HoustonforanArmyCaptainaccusedofserious domestic violence against his foreign spouse.HisclientwasaMilitaryPoliceCommander,andtheseaccusationsderailedhiscareer,andtheArmytriedtousehisposition andpoweragainsthimaspartoftheircase, highlightingtheimbalanceofpower,hisallegedviolentandcontrollingnature,etc.A convictionwouldhaveendedhiscareer,likely meantmilitaryprisongiventheallegedinjuriesandscenarioandcosthimhisretirement aswell.Josephpreparedthecasehardafterthe clienthiredhimtotakeoverfromhisArmy counsel.Attrial,Josephsuccessfullykeptout 404bevidenceoftwopreviousallegedassaults claimedbythenowex-wifeandfocusedon thecaseathand.Iprovedattrialcircumstantially that she was lying about the charged offense,andthathermotivetodosowasmy client's filing for divorce against her in herhomecountryandhiswithdrawalofsupportforherresidencyapplicationallowingher toliveintheU.S.Josephfurthershowedthat akeysupportingwitnessforherwaslyingbecauseofinconsistenciesJosephcaughthimin
at trial over his and her version of events.
Josephthenturnedherpicsofallegedinjuries andthegovernmentmedicalevidenceagainst herandshowedsuccessfullythatherinjuries didnotcorrespondwiththeassaultiveactions claimed. Other government witnesses were impeachedorshowntobebiasedduetotheir relationshipwiththecomplainant.Thefact thatthecomplainanthadneverbeeninareal fightbeforeandhadneverthrownapunch beforehelpedtremendouslyinshowinghow herstoryofalengthy,brutalassaultwasjust that,astory.Clientdidnottestify.Finalverdict:NOTGUILTY.
This was Joseph’s third NOT GUILTY in general courts-martial (think district court felonytrial)inthelast10months.Oneateach ofourlocalSanAntoniomilitarybases—Lackland,Randolph,andFtSamHouston.
AlexScharff
Alex Scharff along with co-counsel Nikki Schmerberrepresentedamanchargedwith committingtwoSexualAssaults(noconsent-unconscious and unable to resist) by two differentwomenwithinthreeyears. During thefirstjurytriallastyear,theJudgepermitted
both women to testify. He was found Not Guilty! After the verdict was read, the client broke down and cried. One juror commented the deliberations were like "12 Angry Men," with him as the holdout who persuaded the other jurors to acquit. The juror said the client's testimony convinced him of his innocence. The prosecutors were Chris Ramos and Jessica Johnson.
Then, earlier this year, Alex and co-counsel Analisa Gomez tried the second case. The Complainant, who had an infant child and lived outside Bexar County, told the DA's Office to "...go ahead and do the case without her," and was subpoenaed to testify. The State also flew in two witnesses who lived outside of Texas and paid for their airfare, hotel rooms, and expenses. The lead prosecutor was Lauren Scott, an excellent litigator. The client also testified in this trial. The jury deliberated for five hours before returning a Not Guilty verdict. One juror was the holdout for a Guilty verdict, but she eventually changed her mind. The jurors focused on the lack of corroboration to the Complainant's version of events.
PERSPECTIVES
Danielle Cramberg & Monica Guerrero
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, DEFENDER
Monica Guerrero and Danielle Cramberg got a not guilty on a murder out of 227th District Court. Their client shot his friend, who he was letting stay with him for a week after finding out he was homeless, after they got into a fight. The complaining witness was shot in the back of the head, and the client gave a 3-hour statement to the police where he admitted to shooting him, dragging him back into the apartment from the front door/ porch, wiped off the gun, and was found after
having left the scene. Client was also on DWI 3d+ felony probation. Client testified and mentioned a lot of details that weren't in his original statement. The client had also accused the complaining witness of stealing his rent money after he knew they had just received an eviction notice the week before. Monica and Danielle hammered on BRD (beyond a reasonable doubt) and the jury found the self-defense/defense of property was not disproved by the state. Monica put on a master class on direct for how to question your client who looks really guilty!
Dayna Jones
DESIGNER, DEFENDER
Dayna Jones won an actual innocence writ for a client who was accused of, and pleaded guilty to, three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child involving two separate children. In a rare recantation case, both children recanted, provided credible reasons why they made up with the false allegations, and were phenomenal witnesses on the stand and explained their side of what happened. They were being coerced by their mother’s boyfriend into falsely accusing their biological father of the abuse. The trial lawyer conducted no investigation at all—this was shown by testimony from the court appointed investigator who testified that once appointed, the lawyer never returned his calls, messages, or emails—yet the lawyer told the client the case was thoroughly investigated, and he had no defense at all. She also explained to the illiterate client that if he went to trial, he would get two life sentences and it was best that he accept the plea deal of 25 years, so he did. Fortunately, when mom’s boyfriend was out of the picture, the kids confessed that they had lied and now the client can be free after spending over 7 years of his 25-year sentence in prison.
EDITORS, DEFENDER
