Picking the Right 12: Mastering Jury Selection for Child Abuse Trials
This workshop reframes voir dire as a strategic tool rather than a procedural step. Participants learn to use targeted questioning to introduce core themes, surface bias, and prepare jurors for the realities of child testimony from the outset.
Suggested Audience: Prosecutors
Full Description: Jury selection is the first opportunity to address the jury panel directly and is critical for setting the stage of the entire trial. This workshop focuses on transforming voir dire from a procedural formality into a strategic, persuasive asset.
Prosecutors will gain techniques for framing targeted questions that introduce core case facts and cultivate a foundational understanding of the complexities inherent in these cases. The session teaches how to maximize time efficiency, foster juror understanding of the difficult nature of child testimony and other relevant dynamics, and strategically use questioning to identify and address potential biases.
Learning Objectives:
Frame key case facts and set the context for anticipated defenses during targeted juror questioning.
Utilize voir dire to strengthen the reception of expert witness and medical testimony.
Develop strategic responses to survive challenges for cause and retain favorable jurors.
Speaker(s): Kathleen Nolan
