Juror Passions Can Foretell Leanings

Education, employment, marital status – all important data to know about your potential jurors, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you what they really care about.  We recently sat through a trial where one attorney mixed up the routine voir dire questions by asking jurors to talk about their passions.  The answers were fascinating, and ended up predicting juror leanings and leadership potential far better than a dry recitation of hard facts.

For example, the woman who meets weekly with her Jaguar car club had a significant amount of disposable income, and her conservative nature mixed with a fun, outgoing personality made her an easy choice for foreperson.  The marathon enthusiast was a strong believer in personal responsibility, so the plaintiff’s claims in this specific case annoyed him from the start.  The woman who volunteers at a battered women’s shelter had an empathetic personality, but also was less sympathetic to the plaintiff because her problems did not seem particularly troubling when compared to those of the women this juror typically sees.

In addition to learning about these jurors’ hobbies, it was also instructional to observe them as they discussed their passions.  When someone is engaged, you can often see a different side of their personality.  We could immediately sense who was going to be a leader and who would follow the group, as well as get an idea for what personalities might click with or grate on each other.

We understand not all judges will allow questions that go beyond the basics.  But if you can, we highly suggest digging deeper than straightforward demographic queries to learn more about what makes your jurors tick.  Because oftentimes, these things can provide helpful clues as to which way they will side on your case.

For more suggestions on beyond-the-basics voir dire questions, contact Senior Vice President Claire Luna at 714.754.1010 or cluna@juryimpact.net.

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