The Jury Expert
Current Issue - March/April 2013, Vol. 25, No. 2

Previous Issue - January/February 2013, Vol. 25, No. 1
  • You've seen the TV shows, movie references, online posts and comics derogating jury service. You've probably even heard the outrageous reasons for being unable to serve like "It wouldn't be fair since I'm psychic" or "I can't serve since I've been a victim of homicide myself". But do you have a strategy for figuring out who to strike among the jury-avoidant on your panel?

    Avoiding Jury Duty: Psychological and Legal Perspectives

    by David M. Sams, J.D., LL.M.
    and Tess M.S. Neal, Ph.D.
    and Stanley L. Brodsky, Ph.D.

    You’ve seen the TV shows, movie references, online posts and comics derogating jury service. You’ve probably even heard the outrageous reasons for being unable to serve like “It wouldn’t be fair since I’m psychic” or “I can’t serve since I’ve been a victim of homicide myself”. But do you have a strategy for figuring out who to strike among the jury-avoidant on your panel?

  • Forgetting what you mean to remember? Toss the caffeine and try Evernote. Cloud-synced across your devices. You'll never forget to remember again.

    Out of Your Head, Into the Cloud with Evernote

    by Brian Patterson

    Forgetting what you mean to remember? Toss the caffeine and try Evernote. Cloud-synced across your devices. You’ll never forget to remember again.

  • A simple, research-identified strategy to improve the quality of testimony you elicit from child witnesses. It's all in the way you structure the question!

    Questioning Child Witnesses

    by Nicholas Scurich, Ph.D.

    A simple, research-identified strategy to improve the quality of testimony you elicit from child witnesses. It’s all in the way you structure the question!

  • Those of us who look at a lot of jury instructions know they are confusing and tough for jurors to interpret. Here's some research examining the reading level of standard pattern capital jury instructions from across the country in comparison with average reading comprehension of American citizens. It's a sobering article.

    Assessing the Readability of Capital Pattern Jury Instructions

    by Rachel Small
    and Judith Platania, PhD
    and Brian Cutler, PhD

    Those of us who look at a lot of jury instructions know they are confusing and tough for jurors to interpret. Here’s some research examining the reading level of standard pattern capital jury instructions from across the country in comparison with average reading comprehension of American citizens. It’s a sobering article.

  • How are the generations alike and different NOW? And what does that mean for you in the office and in the courtroom? A comprehensive overview.

    Intergenerational Law Offices, Intergenerational Juries: Values, Priorities, and Decision-Making

    by Douglas L. Keene, PhD
    and Rita R. Handrich, Ph.D.

    How are the generations alike and different NOW? And what does that mean for you in the office and in the courtroom? A comprehensive overview.

  • Run across a video you want to watch but don't have time at the moment or you are in a place you can't watch right now? There's an app for that and it's our Favorite Thing for January 2013!

    Favorite Thing: January 2013!

    by Jury Expert Editorial Staff

    Run across a video you want to watch but don’t have time at the moment or you are in a place you can’t watch right now? There’s an app for that and it’s our Favorite Thing for January 2013!

  • What was most popular with visitors to The Jury Expert in 2012? Some of it may surprise you. See what your colleagues, friends and opposing counsel were reading. Our own Top 10 list.

    Our Top Ten Most Accessed Articles for 2012!

    by The Jury Expert Editorial Staff

    What was most popular with visitors to The Jury Expert in 2012? Some of it may surprise you. See what your colleagues, friends and opposing counsel were reading. Our own Top 10 list.

  • How often are forensic mental health evaluators going to agree on the competency, responsibility and readiness for release of those they evaluate? Hmmm. Not as often as one might prefer.

    Forensic Mental Health Evaluations: Reliability, Validity, Quality, and Other Minor Details

    by W. Neil Gowensmith, PhD
    and Daniel Murrie, PhD
    and Marcus T. Boccaccini, PhD

    How often are forensic mental health evaluators going to agree on the competency, responsibility and readiness for release of those they evaluate? Hmmm. Not as often as one might prefer.

  • What's in this issue? Terrific stuff for litigation advocacy as well as some info on improving your memory and office interactions too!

    Note from the Editor: Wait! We’re Leading with an Article on How to Avoid Jury Duty?

    by Rita R. Handrich, PhD

    What’s in this issue? Terrific stuff for litigation advocacy as well as some info on improving your memory and office interactions too!