Posted on 06/14/2005 9:01:47 AM PDT by PackerBoy
Moderator : If this thread is posted in the wrong forum, please forgive me and feel free to relocate it.
A jury consultant friend of mine (I am a trial attorney) is trying to learn who the jury consultanst were who were used by the defense and prosecution in the Michael Jackson case, and I promised I would try to help her find out.
Does anyone have this information?
What exactly is a jury consultant?
(I'm sorry for the ignorance. I have never been called to jury duty despite being registered to vote since 18. Of course I'm not complaining)
Yeah, I do. Curly, Moe and Larry.
Never been called - count your blessings. I have been called multiple times over many years, sometimes involving cases where there was a plausible fear from the jurors of personal danger. Beyond that, a jury consultant is someone who analyzes the jury pool and advises on techniques and tactics to obtain a jury that they believe will be most favorably disposed toward their client.
"I have never been called to jury duty despite being registered to vote since 18. Of course I'm not complaining."
But don't you realize that you SHOULD be complaining?
Assuming that you are an intelligent and thoughtful FReeper, juries need you. All too often, good potential jurors either find an excuse or, like you, are inadvertently left out of the process.
That's how OJ got off. One old gal on that jury famously said that, "I never heard of no O.J. Simpson." Do we really want that kind of ignorance dispensing justice?
It happens daily around the country because potentially good jurors are too busy to give their time to a critical and fundamental American duty.
Nothing personal. You just gave me a chance to vent.
I haven't heard or read anything about the consultants, but you could try asking this question to Howlin and others on this thread. Someone there may know.
Your friend could also try calling the offices of the DA and the defense attorney and asking them. The worst that can happen is they hang up on her.
Thanks for any helpful responses.
Well, I don't think I was much help, but this will give your thread a BTTT.
Amend post #5 to read:
"It happens daily around the country because potentially good jurors are too busy to give their time to a critical and fundamental American duty, or they opt out because they are too frightened by the bad guys to do their little part to take their country back."
Flame on.
Whoever they were, they did an excellent job.
The prosecution obviously didn't have one, as they let a juror stay on who had a convicted child molester in the family.
As for the defense. You can find them at the local Chuck E. Cheese, where Michael is having his victory party.
>>>Assuming that you are an intelligent and thoughtful FReeper, juries need you. All too often, good potential jurors either find an excuse or, like you, are inadvertently left out of the process. >>>
So who do I complain to?
And J. Lee Meihls will assist defense lawyers to identify the jurors most likely to believe their client is innocent.
Good grief, this is beyond funny.
Blaming the prosecutor, the family, and ALL the witnesses.
Ooops, Rush thinks they jurors were all perfectly wonderful.
Ooops, Rush thinks they jurors were all perfectly wonderful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And I profoundly disagree with Rush this morning.
Jury "consultants" are one corruption of the (now completely corrupt) "judicial system". 98 pages of instructions from the judge are another.
Jury consultants are people who make it their profession to assist lawyers at trial in slecting (or de-selecting as it actually works) potential jurors. They often also help with developing or tailoring evidence and arguments to maximize its effectiveness for the jury. I have even had jury consultants help me design exhibits for use at trial, when knowing what colors and type fints are best for use in persuading jurors. They have also reviewed depositions and provided assistance in coaching witnesses to improve upon their effectiveness (sit up straight, quit scratching your nose, wear softer colors, etc.). They have helped me to hone my opening statemenst and closing arguments, and provide feedback during trials about how witnesses are likely being perceived by the jury. They do background investigations and develop jury questionnaire forms for use in screening potential jurors (especially in criminal death penalty cases).
You were not helpful, but get a "pass" for being funny. ;)
Or are intentionally selected against by defense attorneys. I've spent several days on several different instances sitting as a member of a jury pool. My probably cynical, but also probably pretty accurate impression is that prosecutors want just the juror you describe, defense attorneys want just the opposite.
I also wonder about how jurors get onto the summons list. The last time I was there everyone I spoke to had been called multiple times. There were no first timers that I encountered. I've received 5 summons for various courts in the last 10 years - got excused from 3 appearances and spent time sitting as a part of the pool in 2.
I wouldn't mind sitting in the jury pool for several days (losing income for those days) if there was a chance in hell that I'd be selected. But it turns out to be a waste of time and money for me. /end of my rant with a slightly different perspective than yours:)
Good question. :-)
I don't suppose you can just call up and volunteer.
You might call and ask why you never get a jury summons. Various jurisdictions do it differently. You may not be on the roll. Where I live, all registered voters are automatically placed in the jury pool.
I've been called multiple times but never chosen. They either fill the jury before it's my turn, or the case is dismissed. I would LOVE to be on a grand jury.
One of these days.
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