NCJ Number
112110
Date Published
1987
Length
141 pages
Annotation
Testimony and prepared statements by judges, academics, attorneys, and professional organizations discuss voir dire and jury selection reform with reference to two Senate bills amending the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure regarding the examination of prospective jurors.
Abstract
In an attempt to ensure a fair and impartial jury, these amendments would require courts to permit counsel to participate in voir dire if they so request. Each side in litigation would be guaranteed a minimum participation time of 30 minutes and a maximum of an additional 60 minutes in multidefendant cases. Testimony considers current Federal and State procedures, and the potential costs and benefits of the reform with respect to judicial workloads, case processing time, judicial discretion, bias, jury impartiality and the rights of the accused, court costs, and case outcomes. Results of studies of the effects of mandatory voir dire are presented. Voir dire policies adopted by the American Bar Association also are described. Specific provisions of the amendments are considered. In general, testimony favors adoption of this jury reform.