Spotlight: Massachusetts's Juror Counseling Program
In a recent edition of Counterbalance, the publication produced by the National Association of Women Judges, Justice Sarah Ellis of the Massachusetts Superior Court and Pamela Wood, Massachusetts jury commissioner, describe their state’s efforts to support jurors’ mental health during their service. Beginning in 2022, jurors were able to access three, one-hour phone counseling sessions free. The program is designed to aid jurors who are distressed because of their jury experience; jurors need not be selected in order to be eligible to receive the counseling services. Rather, a juror who was released after voir dire, for example, may qualify.
NCSC's AI Rapid Response Team Releases Guidance on Digital Evidence and Deepfakes
The National Center for State Courts’ Artificial Intelligence Rapid Response Team explains the challenges for courts posed by the rise of AI-enhanced evidence and deepfakes. As the risk of jurors being exposed to AI-fabricated evidence continues to grow, it is important for courts to assess whether stricter rules should be enacted surrounding digital evidence.
Why Do Juries Hang? Insights from Paula Hannaford-Agor, Director of Jury Studies
In a new interview, NBC News spoke with NCSC’s very own Paula Hannaford-Agor, director of the Center for Jury Studies, about why juries hang. Hannaford-Agor points to the ambiguity of the evidence as being a common reason for a hung jury. She also pushes back on the idea that a hung jury is a failure, stating, “Fundamentally, the whole reason we have juries and jury trials is to ensure that before we convict somebody, the prosecution has proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. And so, a hung jury—the prosecution has not met its burden. That is not a failure of the system. That is the system actually working its way out exactly as intended.”
Oregon County DA Prohibits Use of Peremptory Challenges in Misdemeanor Cases
The Oregonian reports that a local county district attorney announced his plan to prevent prosecutors from utilizing peremptory challenges of in misdemeanor cases. The Multnomah County DA, Mike Schmidt, has identified peremptory challenges as having “created credible evidence of racial and ethic exclusion of jurors.” In Oregon, each side has three peremptory challenges in misdemeanor cases and six in felonies. Notably, domestic violence cases are excluded from Schmidt’s new policy, which took effect on August 1.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
The Power or Remote Case-Specific Questionnaires | September 5 at 3:15 PM EST
Discover how remote case-specific juror questionnaires can revolutionize jury selection by providing greater convenience for prospective jurors, offering more meaningful insights into juror impartiality, and reducing operational costs through improved juror utilization.
Join us for a comprehensive webinar on September 5, 2024, from 3:15-4:30 (EST) featuring esteemed panelists from the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, as they share their successful implementation of this innovative approach. The webinar will cover:
- The process used by the Maricopa County Superior Court to prescreen jurors for bias and time conflicts;
- How remote juror questionnaires provide more detailed and valuable information to judges and lawyers;
- The practical tools used, including Microsoft Forms and Excel, to facilitate remote questionnaires; and
- The significant impact this approach has had on the efficiency and effectiveness of voir dire.
For more information, email Paula Hannaford-Agor.
Using Behavioral Science to (Re)Design Your Jury Summons and Other Communications with Prospective Jurors | August 21 at 3:00 PM EST
Join us for an insightful webinar on redesigning jury summonses and other communications with prospective jurors through the lens of behavioral science. Shannon McAuliffe, associate managing director at ideas42, will guide us through behavioral science 101 and innovative strategies that courts can implement to improve response and appearance rates by prospective jurors. The session will explore:
- The principles of behavioral science and how they apply to jury communications
- Real-world examples of redesigned communications that have led to higher engagement
- Practical tips for crafting more effective messages to prospective jurors
McAuliffe will share valuable insights from her experience working with courts across the country on defendant appearance rates to implement these evidence-based approaches in the juror context.
For more information, email Paula Hannaford-Agor.
Please Submit Nominations for the 2024 Munsterman Award
The Center for Jury Studies at the National Center for State Courts is now accepting nominations for the G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation. The award is named for G. Thomas Munsterman, founder and former director of the Center for Jury Studies and an internationally renowned innovator in jury systems and research. The award recognizes states, local courts, individuals, or other organizations that have made significant improvements or innovations in jury procedures, operations, or practices in state or local statutes, rules, or other formal changes; jury management or technology; in-court improvements; or other improvements or innovations related to juries and jury trials. Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 pm ET on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Submit the name of a nominee or email Paula Hannaford-Agor if you have questions about the nomination process.