NCJ Number
148979
Journal
Indiana Law Journal Volume: 68 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1993) Pages: 1033-1333
Editor(s)
P S Cross
Date Published
1993
Length
301 pages
Annotation
This issue on "Improving Communications in the Courtroom" includes the proceedings of a forum, "Communicating with Juries," and articles on related issues.
Abstract
The panelists at the symposium focused on common problems associated with judge-jury communications, including judicial bias and problems with juror comprehension. The panelists discussed what social science and practice reveals about the effectiveness of various methods for improving judge-jury communications. Panelists also engaged in a debate about the proper role of the jury and considered how the legal profession, particularly judges, might better equip jurors to perform their tasks. Additionally, the panelists on one of the three panels discussed available technological means for improving the effectiveness of courtroom communications and juror comprehension in complex cases. Three articles discuss judicial communication with juries, judges' behavior in bench trials, and the influence of judges on juror attitudes and decisionmaking. Another article addresses science and ethics in conducting, analyzing, and reporting social science research and their implications for social scientists, judges, and lawyers. Remaining articles discuss the creation of educated and democratic juries, judicial nullification of jury instructions, jurors' views of civil lawyers, and postverdict debriefing for jurors in emotionally disturbing trials.