Lawrocket, Nightingale and other legal eagles - Juries.

[Erroll 80]

I saw Runaway Jury last night and I was intrigued by the 'behind the scenes' scrutinising, background checking and manipulation of the (potential) jurors. Just how close to real life was this movie? Especially the Hackman role. Does it really happen?

Ps. We don't have the jury system in South Africa, so I have nothing to go on.

[mr2mk1g 10]

Not in England it doesn't. Not even close - we do not pick and chose our jurors as seen in that film.

It is true that each side can reject up to 3 without giving any reason and sometimes it's necessary but in practice it’s not a particularly common thing to do. Not here at least.

I can't speak for the US system.

[lawrocket 3]

I haven't seen "Runaway Jury" so I don't know.

How are juries chosen? Unless you have a helluva lot of money to spend on jury research, simple intuition. What sort of people like you and your client?

For me, I want to make sure there are a couple of older ladies on the jury. Older ladies like me (heck, my problem used to be the mothers loving me more than the girlfriends).

Also, if you are plaintiff or defendant, it differs. If your case is a legal slam dunk, you want engineers, lawyers, computer programmers - people who work with logic every day. If you hope for a greater jury award, you'll want more liberal people in touch with emotions.

I'll have to check out the flick...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Jib 0]

Usually, you sit in a courtroom and 20+ random people show up out of a room of hundreds that were summoned that day. So, it's not all that likely you're going to be able to find out who is in your pool (or at least I don't know how).
There are jury consultants who are psychologists or sorts that help to pick juries and there are also mock trials where pursuasive theories and sympathetic people are identified in general terms. (They also help value the case, but are rather expensive.)

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[Zenister 0]

you really should.. I too was wondering how much of this is true, it is about the most high tech, high dollar jury research team (leader, Gene Hackman) ever..

if this kind of stuff really goes on, even at a less Hollywooed, more realistic level. Our system is more fucked up than I'd ever imagined...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[lawrocket 3]

Hig tech stuff happens in big firms, or whatever has a high value case.

Say a Fortune 500 company is being sued in a shareholder derivative action. The potential loss could be 500 million dollars. A team of lawyers defending the company takes over.

Mock trials? You bet. They'll put on a 5 day tial with people acting as jurors. The jurors find against them. They interview and poll the jurors for the next couple of days about their decisions, why they did, what they did and did not like. Then they adjust their theories, witnesses, approach, even trial lawyers, and do it again until they perfect it.

Picture Jacko. The Civil lawsuit won't go to trial until after the criminal trial. Why? Because the civil guys will scope out the criminal trial to learn strengths and weaknesses of witnesses and theories. They'll try to talk to jurors. Then use that info for the civil trial.

THat happens in a very small percentage of cases when the parties have deep pockets. Lay out 1 million dollars for a chance to win or keep 500 million? Most would. But, you're still playing a game of risk.

I hope I'm never involved in that stuff.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Zenister 0]

how much research into the background of the actual juror pool before selection goes on?

I'm sure some of the tactics used in the movie are completely illegal (i wont give it away) but I wonder... I'm in a juror's pool, would a firm do enough research to find out I post here and discover my opinions on gun control, abortion etc...?

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Erroll 80]

Quote

if this kind of stuff really goes on, even at a less Hollywooed, more realistic level. Our system is more f*cked up than I'd ever imagined...

That was what I was thinking. With the eternal debate about capital punishment, if this stuff really happens, is it surprising that innocent people are getting nailed. It seems that 'beyond reasonable doubt' could be interpreted as 'my jury advisor was better than your's'.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie though. Very interesting plot.

[cocheese 0]

Bet i can get Nightingale to respond to this thread.
Nightingale, will you respond to this thread ? Pwease ?

[Kennedy 0]

The book was better. I heard from others who read it first that it was a horrible hollywood derangement, and that they twisted it beyond recognition. Heck, I was ticked that they changed from tobacco to firearms. Can you say "completely different scenarios?" I knew you could.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Erroll 80]

Quote

Heck, I was ticked that they changed from tobacco to firearms. Can you say "completely different scenarios?"

Fair enough. However, for an 'uninvolved' South African, the scenario change was no big deal. I am aware (especially through spending a lot of time on DZ.Com

[Kennedy 0]

As much as I proudly wear the "gun nut" title ACME has bestwed upon me, that's not why it bothered me of rhte movie. The tobacco lawsuit situation laid a real life foundation for the book to follow. No such foundation existed for firearms other than issues in hollywood head-cases. It stole from the reality, I'm told (and believe).

Like I said, I haven't seen, it probably won't until it's on cable.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Erroll 80]

Quote

As much as I proudly wear the "gun nut" title ACME has bestwed upon me

Let's rather not turn this into yet another guns thread. I am more curious as to the accuracy (or lack thereof) of the way jury selection/manipulation etc was portrayed in the movie.