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Scientific Jury Selection: What Social Scientists Know and Do Not Know

NCJ Number
122351
Journal
Judicature Volume: 73 Issue: 4 Dated: (December-January 1990) Pages: 178-183
Author(s)
S S Diamond
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Scientific jury selection (SJS), a procedure in which social scientists act as consultants and assist a litigator in the selection of a jury, has produced modest success, and it has helped lawyers and litigants feel more confident.
Abstract
SJS is touted as effective in selecting juries sympathetic to litigants' causes in criminal and civil cases. SJS consultants use telephone surveys to determine public attitudes toward a particular crime. Their goal is to predict how jurors will react to evidence presented at trial. Juror characteristics are used to predict verdict preferences. Studies are discussed that evaluate the effectiveness of SJS predictions of juror verdicts. To date research on jury selection has been unable to develop a profile of an effective defense, plaintiff, or prosecution juror who can be used across cases. While SJS can build attorney and litigant confidence, no way has yet been developed to identify cases that would be amenable to SJS. Attorneys hiring SJS consultants must be wary. 40 footnotes.