Jury Selection: As a member of the jury, your role is to hear and weigh the evid

Jury Selection:

As a member of the jury, your role is to hear and weigh the evidence, evaluate that credibility of the witnesses, analyze the arguments presented by the prosecution and defense, determine whether the law applies specifically to this situation, and render a verdict on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. To perform these tasks with clarity and fairness, you will have to use a variety of sophisticated thinking and language abilities.

As part of the jury selection process, you are asked by the prosecutor and defense attorney whether you will be able to set aside your initial reactions or preconceptions to render an impartial verdict. Identify any ideas or feelings related to this case that might make it difficult for you to view it objectively.

To begin with, describe your initial assessment of whether the defendant is innocent or guilty and explain your reasons for thinking so. Also, make any disclosures that might bias you and explain how or why you will be able to remain objective. Then, answer the questions below.

Personal Response: Assess Yourself

Freewrite for a few minutes in response to the following questions:

1. How do you feel about mental illness as it pertains to crimes?
2. Should punishments be applied equally to those labeled mentally ill as to those deemed sane by our society?
3. What is your opinion of the legal system in our country?
4. Is there anything that might bias you, make you unable to be an objective juror?
5. Are you a parent?
6. Have you ever had any experiences related to the issues in this case?
7. Do you have any preconceived views concerning individual responsibility in situations like this?
8. When mental illness is a factor, should people be treated the same or differently when they have committed a crime?
9. Then evaluate whether you will be able to go beyond your initial reactions to see the situation objectively, and explain how you intend to accomplish this.

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