Secret Life Of A Juror: Voir Dire

By: Paul Sanders

On January 23, 2014, the author reported for jury duty without taking notice to the media vehicles lined in front of the courthouse. He checked in unaware that 1200 others were also being counted as potential jurors. He did not know when he walked into the courtroom that the case of premeditated murder would change his life.

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Book Description

On January 23, 2014, the author reported for jury duty without taking notice to the media vehicles lined in front of the courthouse. He checked in unaware that 1200 others were also being counted as potential jurors. He did not know when he walked into the courtroom that the case of premeditated murder would change his life. It would seem that the most important question of the day, as asked to every potential juror, was whether he could, if the circumstances were correct and the law dictated as such, apply the death penalty to the defendant?

The most critical question, however, came during the written questioning process of voir dire, a tool for the court to determine whether a potential juror would be a final decision maker. The question was simple: had he ever experienced domestic violence as an adult or juvenile?

The answer would force the juror to face a past painted with child abuse and a future framed by shame. He had to confront the demons that would eventually impact his decision of whether the defendant should live or die.

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