Law Practice
Feb. 28, 2020
Voir dire: connect and project
While many a trial attorney may be of the opinion that jurors make up their minds during opening statements, I disagree.
Michael D. Schwartz
Partner
Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver
Email: MSchwartz@rlslawyers.com
Michael is a senior litigator in the firm's Southern California practice. For the past 18 years, he has focused on representing peace officers in some of the toughest and most high profile, noteworthy criminal cases in Southern California.
While many a trial attorney may be of the opinion that jurors make up their minds during opening statements, I disagree. Where those jurors’ minds start from, and how those minds will view the case (including how they view and are influenced by opening statements) can be heavily influenced by a good voir dire. One misunderstanding of the purpose of voir dire is to “select” a jury. That may be true for the judge. As attorneys, we all know that no one gets to handpick, ...
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