What Don’t You Know About Your Jury?
Jury selection is a critical phase of the trial process where having a private investigator on hand can make a big difference.
Here are a few ways an investigator can become an indispensable asset during jury selection, revealing information you might never have considered:
Efficient analysis & organization - Time is of the essence when reviewing prospective juror information. In some cases you may only have a matter of hours to review demographics and responses to juror questionnaires before voir dire begins. An investigator can quickly sift through all the responses to make sure you're prepared and ahead of the curve for voir dire.
Enhanced voir dire focus - Voir dire requires the complete focus of attorneys who are tasked with questioning the jurors. With an investigator by your side, you're not just getting an extra set of ears. You're leveraging their expertise to catch subtle cues and craft strategic follow-up questions. They'll help you keep track of juror responses, making peremptory strikes and motions to strike for cause more effective (because you’re not relying on your memory alone.)
Deep-dive internet research - A juror's online footprint is a goldmine of insights. From political affiliations to personal experiences, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can unveil crucial details about prospective jurors' biases and beliefs. Is a member of the jury pool a true crime obsessive with strong feelings about corrupt law enforcement? Is another a victim of violent crime who organizes her community to support harsher sentences? An investigator trained in public records searches and social media research can help you identify the jurors who align with your case strategy—or those you need to challenge.
Invaluable case knowledge - No matter how thoroughly you’ve researched your client’s case, there may well be some facts that an investigator has become especially familiar with through witness interviews or research. Their intimate knowledge of case facts can provide a unique perspective on jurors, ensuring you cover all angles during selection.
The reality is this:
It’s impossible for any one attorney to catch every red flag, think of every follow-up question to ask, and observe the facial expressions and subtle reactions of jurors to certain topics in real time.
Keeping an investigator on the team for this process puts another person at the defense table, someone who knows the facts of your case and potentially useful information about your prospective jurors.
That means they can communicate to you or your co-counsel about topics that may need to be pursued further or responses that might be useful in a motion to strike for cause.
Incorporating an investigator into your jury selection process can be a game-changing strategy in the courtroom.
Ready to improve your approach to jury selection? Let's talk.