Mar 1

final-jur-e headline

Survey Finds High Confidence in Juries Relative to Other Public Institutions

A new Marquette Law School national survey found juries that decide criminal cases have the highest level of public confidence relative to other civic institutions. When compared to the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Supreme Court, the presidency, and Congress, 34% of respondents expressed a “great deal/a lot” of confidence in juries that decide criminal cases. Only 24% of those polled answered that they had “little/none” confidence, while 42% observed that they had “some” confidence in criminal juries.

Florida Soon to Authorize Release of Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Testimony

CBS News reports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vocalized his intention to sign a bill allowing for the release of grand jury testimony about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. As also reported by the Tampa Bay Times, the bill would expand exceptions under which grand jury testimony can be made public by permitting release where the subject of the grand jury inquiry is deceased, the inquiry is related to criminal or sexual activity with an individual who was a minor at the time, and the testimony was previously disclosed by court order. Further, the legislation indicates that all these circumstances should be considered by a judge when deciding whether releasing grand jury records would advance justice. The proposed law comes as a Palm Beach County judge is currently sorting through records as part of a lawsuit brought against the Palm Beach County Clerk’s Office by the Palm Beach Post about the Epstein case to determine which can be made public.

New York Judge Advocates for Jury Diversification to Local Lawmakers

WKBW 7News reports that one Buffalo judge is taking action to support jury diversification in the courtroom. In a letter to Buffalo City Council Member Rasheed Wyatt, Judge Kevin Carter writes, “At the core of our legal system is the jury. The jury decides the facts in both civil and criminal cases … Thus, jury participation is essential to a strong democracy. The UCS affirms our responsibility to promote a court system free from all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote jury participation that reflects the rich diversity of New York State.” Judge Carter noted he is part of group that convenes monthly to discuss steps they can take with the goal of improving jury participation and jury diversity in Buffalo, Erie County and Western New York. He states his hope that the City Council will serve as a partner in this effort.

North Carolina Court To Hear Challenge Affecting 135 Death Sentences Based on Racial Bias During Jury Selection

ABC 11 Raleigh reports a man in Johnston County, North Carolina, is seeking to have his death sentence overturned under the 2009 Racial Justice Act. Hassan Bacote, a black man, was sentenced to death by a majority-white jury in 2009. Under the Act, defendants can challenge their death sentences due to race having played a significant factor in decisions to seek or impose the death penalty. Bacote’s case could have implications for 134 other death sentences. According to the ACLU, the prosecution removed black jurors three times more often than it removed white jurors during jury selection in his case.