ABA Journal

Juries

963 ABA Journal Juries articles.

Discussion on Zoom between plaintiff and jurors is not grounds for mistrial, judge says

A California judge has refused to grant a mistrial in an asbestos case in which the plaintiff chatted with jurors on Zoom during a break in the virtual trial.

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer is accused of $20M money laundering scam; BigLaw firm trims salary cuts

Lawyer is charged in alleged $20M cryptocurrency scam

Lawyer Scott Hughes, 44, of Newport Beach, California, has been accused of helping launder at least $20 million in an alleged cryptocurrency…

8th Circuit rules against grand juror who wanted to talk about Michael Brown case

A federal appeals court has ruled against a grand juror who wanted to correct the record after a prosecutor discussed evidence in the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old Black man, by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Netflix’s new Jeffrey Epstein docuseries explores conspiracy theories and crime cover-ups

Oklahoma lawyer Adam Banner breaks down Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich and various conspiracy theories surrounding the accusations against Epstein and his death. Banner also shares personal experiences in which he has dealt with client suicide.

Lawyer-juror’s outside research entitles man to new trial hearing, appeals court says

Outside research by a lawyer-juror entitles a convicted Colorado defendant to a hearing on his new trial bid, a state appeals court has ruled.

Afternoon Briefs: Trump sued over census policy excluding immigrants; judge swears in 37 new US citizens

Trump faces federal lawsuit over new policy of excluding immigrants from 2020 census

The city of Atlanta, several nonprofit organizations and naturalized citizens sued President Donald Trump on Thursday over…

Potential jurors exercised, curled up on bed during virtual voir dire, motion says in asbestos case

Potential jurors were distracted or absent during a virtual voir dire that was “riddled with various problems,” according to a mistrial motion filed on behalf of an asbestos defendant.

Wrongfully convicted man hopes to win ‘America’s Got Talent’ and suit against criminal justice system

Inside Louisiana’s maximum security prison, inmate Archie Williams used to watch America’s Got Talent and visualize himself performing on the show. It was a dream that couldn’t have seemed further from reality. But on May 26—37 years after his conviction and a little over a year since his exoneration and release—his improbable dream came true.

Every lawyer should sit on a jury at least once

The system works, just not the way you think it does. If you can get on a jury, do it. It is an experience worth having and provides insight into the law, what a jury is confronted with, and how they handle, or don’t handle, what you tell them.

New York City’s backlog in criminal cases rises to 39,200 after trials postponed

The backlog in criminal cases in New York City has risen by nearly a third since February, the month before all trials in the state were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lethal force laws reexamined after police killings; is reasonableness standard too easy?

Lawmakers in several states are considering revisions to police lethal force laws following the deaths of George Floyd and others during encounters with officers.

Afternoon Briefs: Sanctions can be discharged in bankruptcy, 9th Circuit says; BigLaw firms observe Juneteenth

Lawyer’s discovery sanctions can be discharged in bankruptcy, 9th Circuit rules

A suspended California lawyer may discharge more than $5,700 in discovery sanctions in bankruptcy, but she can’t discharge more…

What’s lost when jury trials vanish?

With only 2% of federal criminal cases ending up in a jury trial, how can would-be trial lawyers develop their skills? How can citizens participate in the justice system? And how can defendants receive experienced counsel?

Resuming criminal jury trials would be ‘reckless and irresponsible,’ NACDL says regarding COVID-19

Resuming criminal jury trials would be “reckless and irresponsible” given the risk of transmission of the new coronavirus and the burdens on defendants’ constitutional rights, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said in a report released Thursday.

Man convicted by jury that included judge’s wife isn’t entitled to new trial, top state court says

The Colorado Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of a man tried by a jury that included the judge’s wife. The court said the defense lawyer for the man didn’t object to the wife sitting as a juror, which waived any challenge on appeal.

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