October 6, 2008

"A 7th Circuit Bar Association study that tested alternative trial concepts (pdf), including allowing jurors to ask questions of witnesses during trials and limiting presentations by lawyers, generally showed that the new techniques enhanced the jury trial process. ... [Other concepts tested] were providing jurors with preliminary instructions before evidence was presented, using 12-person juries in civil trials (as opposed to fewer than that number), allowing counsel to make interim statements to the jury between witnesses during the evidence phase of the trial, having jurors fill out questionnaires for the jury selection process and providing jurors with guidance about how to conduct their deliberations." (Marek/NLJ).