Psychology and Law

Jurors

  “We operate under a jury system in this country, and as much as we complain about it, we have to admit that we know of no better system, except possibly flipping a coin.”

Are you considering being a juror?  What skills will you need?

• "Acting" required-NO

• Skills to learn-NO

• Preparation required-YES-learn about your role, complete juror questionnaire, active attention during trial

• Participation in jury selection and trial

Advice:

• Go to an actual court case

• Pick a case that interests you (You do not want to go to a trial that you will sleep through.)

• Pay close attention to the way people act (jurors, attorneys, judge, defendant, etc.)

• Notice the processes of the court room

• How formal is it?  Is it ever not formal?

• Finally, DO NOT wait until the end of the semester to get all of this finished!!!

Here are some useful websites for your project:

http://members.tripod.com/~jctMac/ (Juror’s website)

http://www.nbtanet.org/public/ab-memb/profiles/welk.shtml (Day in the life of a juror)

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/2001SUPPLEMENT/607A/ (Jury stuff)

http://www.udayton.edu/~grandjur/index.htm (Grand jury)

http://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/bkshelf/resource/sa_crt_pro.htm (Guide to mock trials)

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/juror.htm (Information for Jurors)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury (Definition and Processes)

http://www.co.black-hawk.ia.us/maps.nsf/f1fd5a427c088d1d8625670d006735ea/6760093a4ead3d0e8625674e0061ff51?OpenDocument (Directions to the Black Hawk County Court House