Juries

Florida now has nation’s lowest death-penalty threshold; second bill allows execution of child rapists

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that allows juries to recommend capital punishment with an 8-4 vote.

Apr 20, 2023 12:02 PM CDT

Removing unvaccinated potential jurors didn’t violate defendants’ Sixth Amendment rights, 4th Circuit rules

A federal judge’s decision to remove unvaccinated potential jurors did not violate two defendants’ Sixth Amendment right to have their cases heard by a fair cross section of the community, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Apr 12, 2023 3:03 PM CDT

AI tools can help litigators pick jurors who might be on their side

A jury is considered the gold standard of U.S. law and a symbol of justice designed to protect the innocent and prosecute the guilty in a fair, impartial trial. And now, artificial intelligence tools are available to help attorneys identify prospective jurors favorable to their cases. But do jury trials remain golden if one side uses AI to select the perfect jury to win?

Apr 1, 2023 3:10 AM CDT

Selective-prosecution argument in Trump falsified-records case is ‘long shot’ that may still resonate

Former President Donald Trump may argue that any forthcoming indictment in connection with hush-money payments to an adult film actress is a selective prosecution entitling him to dismissal of the charges.

Mar 22, 2023 10:56 AM CDT

Trump motion seeks to block evidence from Georgia special purpose grand jury, disqualify district attorney

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump filed a motion Monday arguing that a special purpose grand jury investigating possible election interference in Georgia was created under statutes that are unconstitutionally vague, inviting “arbitrary, amorphous enforcement.”

Mar 22, 2023 8:37 AM CDT

Lawyer accused of pursuing client-poaching ‘modus operandi’ hit with $2.3M verdict

The Florida Injury Law Firm based in Orlando, Florida, was awarded $2.3 million last week in a lawsuit against a former associate accused of violating an employment contract by stealing the firm’s best clients.

Mar 1, 2023 2:20 PM CST

Lawyer for Black man on trial for murder referenced ‘justifiable lynching’ in trial note, petition says

Updated: Racism pervaded the Texas murder trial of a Black man to such an extent that one of his lawyers appeared to suggest that he deserved to be lynched, according to a Jan. 30 habeas petition.

Feb 7, 2023 8:39 AM CST

Confederate symbols should be removed from courthouses, ABA House says

Confederate memorabilia “and other symbols of racial and ethnic bias” should be removed from facilities where court proceedings are held, according to a resolution passed Monday by the ABA House of Delegates.

Feb 6, 2023 5:40 PM CST

Lessons for lawyers on jury selection from the courtroom and classroom

Common sense dictates that lawyers fare better with jurors who have formed a favorable impression of counsel. Favorable and unfavorable impressions begin with voir dire. The ingredients necessary to build rapport with members of the venire are no secret.

Feb 2, 2023 9:11 AM CST

Potential juror for Young Thug trial ordered to write 30-page essay after skipping return to court

A juror who skipped a return court appearance to be considered as a juror in the trial of rapper Young Thug has been ordered to write a 30-page essay focusing on the history of jury service in Georgia.

Jan 18, 2023 9:11 AM CST

Unanimous jury requirement applies to older criminal cases, top state court rules

The Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled that the constitutional requirement for unanimous juries in serious criminal cases applies to older verdicts challenged in state post-conviction proceedings.

Jan 4, 2023 2:34 PM CST

Public defender is plaintiff in suit alleging exclusion of felons from Manhattan juries is unconstitutional

A public defender who can’t serve on a New York jury because of a 2009 felony drug conviction is a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on jurors with felony convictions as applied in Manhattan, New York City.

Dec 12, 2022 8:43 AM CST

Weekly Briefs: 2 suits against Trump are tossed; lawyers jump to BigLaw from virtual firm

Trump wins dismissal of suits by niece, former lawyer Former President Donald Trump won dismissals Monday of lawsuits filed against him by his niece Mary Trump and his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Mary Trump had alleged that she was duped about the value of inherited property when she agreed…

Nov 18, 2022 3:23 PM CST

Weekly Briefs: Biden can’t grant student-debt relief, judge says; $32.3M malpractice award left in place

Judge strikes down student-debt relief U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman of Fort Worth, Texas, ruled Thursday that the Biden administration’s plan to forgive some federal student-loan debt was an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power. “In this country, we are not ruled by an all-powerful executive with a pen and a…

Nov 11, 2022 3:14 PM CST

12-person juries are constitutionally required in serious criminal cases, Gorsuch argues

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh dissented Monday, when the Supreme Court turned down an appeal that challenges the use of eight-person juries in serious criminal cases.

Nov 8, 2022 9:24 AM CST