What Impacts the Jury?

Any time someone’s future is in the hands of a jury, trying to predict and understand what jurors think during a trial is a full time occupation. One wonders how supportive jurors are to a defense attorney’s argument, or how influential a particular witness or piece of evidence might be. It’s a crazy and shifting mystery that attorneys and their clients  are endlessly working to make sense of.

There’s More to it than Evidence 

Having a strong case is essential, but it’s not the whole ball of wax. That’s because everyone, jurors included, is a compilation of their background and experiences. It makes sense that jurors come to the courtroom with their own passions, views, and prejudices–and each piece of evidence in a trial will be filtered through those biases. Even though judges instruct the jury to reach their conclusions based only on the factual evidence presented in court, it’s impossible to tell just how much each juror’s history will influence their thinking. For example:

1. Many individuals have clear opinions about topics like sexual orientation, race, gender, police officers, the justice system, and more, even if that bias is subliminal.
2. Challenges in their personal lives (family, health, work, and more) may impact a juror’s views, patience, and reactions.
3. The financial status, education level, and even zip code can often offer hints as to a particular person’s world view.
4. Past experiences will have sometimes contributed to emotional penchants for or against certain people or circumstances.
5. Sometimes people may sympathize deeply with one party in a trial, making it difficult to view the case logically.

Cognitive Bias

Sometimes jurors might highlight evidence that validates preexisting beliefs. This is known as cognitive bias, and it can impact a juror’s thought process as they evaluate a case. Equally possible, some jurors may be so strongly impacted by first impressions that they are resistant to future disclosures in a trial. Finally, some jurors may zero in on a specific positive (or negative) quality in a person and be unable to see any other side to that person.

Voir Dire

The opportunity for attorneys to select jurors in a particular trial is called voir dire. Lawyers for each side have the opportunity to question each potential juror, and they do so with an eye toward any bias that could potentially impact a juror’s ability to weigh the evidence in an impartial manner.

Convincing the Jury 

How can an attorney sway the minds of jurors? Along with having the facts on their side, the attorney’s presentation style is a big factor. The attorney must understand that each witness will be viewed as either credible or not, and must adjust their legal strategy accordingly. Naturally, the demeanor of the defendant will be studied by the jurors. Additionally, sometimes prior knowledge about a case will influence a juror’s thinking. A good attorney will weigh all of these factors and attempt to put together a convincing argument. One can only hope that the judge’s instructions will have the weightiest impact on jurors, guiding them to make fair and impartial judgments of the facts and provide a fair verdict.

Fighting for You

The dedicated and experienced Miami criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Julia Kefalinos always fight for the best possible outcomes for our clients. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation today.