Jury Selection
June 22, 2007
Jury Vior Dire Hypothetical Fact Pattern
This is a wrongful death case where Plaintiff Mary P’s 38 year old son, John P., was killed on a construction site (when he came into contact with a live electrical wire that had been unearthed during excavation work). The incident occurred at the University of Orange County, during the construction of this new University…. read more
June 21, 2007
Hitting the High Points – The ‘Philosophy’ of Voir Dire
By Darren O’Leary Aitken, Esq. Noted trial lawyer, Tom Girardi, opines that in the modern era cases are not tried due to conflicting facts, but due to conflicting philosophies. In other words, most cases go to trial because the opposing lawyers and their clients see the same set of facts differently. Some of these conflicts… read more
June 20, 2007
Jury Voir Dire Topics (Checklist)
Where they live/who they live with/family make-up Occupation (and relevant occupations of spouse, children, parents, close friends and relatives) Familiarity with litigants, lawyers, the case, etc. . . . Prior experience as jurors Prior experience with lawyers (as clients, as witnesses, etc. . . . ) Prior litigation experience (and satisfaction with the exposure) If… read more
June 20, 2007
Using Voir Dire to Secure a Winning Verdict
By: Wylie Aitken I. Introduction The modern day trial lawyer finds he or herself in a very interesting, difficult and serious dilemma. More and more inroads are being made to substantively and procedurally limit a trial lawyer’s role in voir dire, while at the same time more and more resources are devoted to manipulating the public… read more