The Missouribar – 2020 Jury Trials During the Coronavirus Epidemic: Online, In-Person, & Jury Selection

This program will discuss big picture issues relating to the coronavirus epidemic and jury trials. The program will examine restarting in-person jury trials, online jury trials, online grand juries, in-person jury selection under social distancing guidelines, jury selection in an online jury trial, considerations for attorneys and witnesses, and juror perceptions in an online trial. Our presenter is Betty Dunkum, the CEO of Victory Trial Consulting (www.victorytrial.com). Ms. Dunkum, an honors graduate of Harvard Law School, is a jury consultant advisor to the NYU School of Law Civil Jury Project, which is working with thought leaders across the country to develop ways jury trials need to change in light of the coronavirus epidemic.  

Participants will learn:

• Big picture issues relating to the coronavirus epidemic and jury trials
• Key provisions from court orders regarding reopening courts
• Issues going forward with in-person trials:  (a) need jurors willing to serve while protecting those at risk; (b) jury selection with social distancing; and (c) issues related to restarting civil trials
• Online Jury Trials: Can it be done? Considerations for jurors, attorneys, and witnesses. getting cases ready for trial in a virtual environment. Juror attention span in an online environment. Dynamics of online jury deliberations.  
• Jury selection in an online jury trial: How can it be done?
• Research regarding juror perceptions in an online trial:  Are there winners and losers when things go online?
• Alternatives to a jury trial:  What can be done if, for example, you have a client who is elderly or who — for financial or other reasons — really needs a quick trial date.

Speaker:  Betty Dunkum, CEO, Victory Trial Consulting, LLC, West Palm Beach, FL

Note: This material qualifies for self-study credit only. Pursuant to Regulation 15.04.5, a lawyer may receive up to six hours of self-study credit in a reporting year. Self-study programs do not qualify for ethics, elimination of bias credit or Kansas credit.