Federal judge: juror has a right to privacy; for now, a juror who refused to answer voir dire questions is spared jail
Article Abstract:
US Magistrate Robert Faulkner on June 6, 1995, set aside a Texas state judge's contempt ruling against Dianna Brandborg, who invoked privacy rights in refusing to answer some jury-selection questions. As a prospective juror for a capital murder case in Jan 1994, Brandborg declined to answer 14 of the 110 questions on a form, so Judge Sam Houston cited her for contempt and sentenced her to three days in jail and a $200 fine. The district attorney's office may appeal the ruling, which observers say could limit other lawyers' voir dire questions.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
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Front-load effort and win your case; 'the voir dire is the most important part of the trial' because one bad juror can spoil your chance to win
Article Abstract:
Plaintiff's lawyer Willie E Gary won 1995's biggest jury verdict with the theme that the defendant had violated its word, while the plaintiff treated its word as its bond. Gary prefers to take a hands-on role during pretrial work, getting to know the details and assess the witnesses. He considers voir dire the most important phase, however, given the large number of potential jurors biased against lawsuits and money damages. His $500 million win netted $242 million for the plaintiff on post-trial settlement.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1996
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Planning well before voir dire; a nontraditional strategy can be the best way to understand and expose a juror's prejudices
Article Abstract:
Ways to expose potential jurors' biases, to use these as a guide in exercising peremptory challenges, and to diffuse the effects of bias that cannot be eliminated during jury selection are discussed. Sources of information about biases in the venue are discussed at some length.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 2001
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