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26 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 233 (2002-2003)
Goals and Practical Tips for Voir Dire

handle is hein.journals/amjtrad26 and id is 241 raw text is: Goals and Practical Tips for Voir Dire Lisa A. Bluet Robert B. Hirschhorntt Abstract The authors, seasoned trial attorneys and jury consultants, supply the practitioner with invaluable insight into the critical arena of jury selection. This Article not only discusses six goals for successful voir dire, it also supplies the reader with specific practice tips gleanedfrom the authors' collective experience. Introduction Too many lawyers walk into court totally cold the day they plan to select a jury for their case. They have not done enough preparation or planning, nor have they given any serious thought to the kind ofjury that they want. These lawyers have no idea how the judge conducts voir dire; they have no knowledge about the length of the voir dire, how many jurors will be summoned, orhow the judge generallyrules on hardships. More often than not, these lawyers lose. The lawyer who comes to voir dire better prepared will have the upper hand during jury selection. A prepared lawyer is less likely to be caught off-guard by some surprise judicial ruling or local court rule. More importantly, a prepared lawyer makes for a happierjudge, and a happier judge means more leeway in conducting voir dire. The question is, when do you start? Simply put, it is never too early to start planning for voir dire. t B.S.Ed. (1973), University ofGeorgia; Ed.S. (1976), University ofVirginia; M.Ed. (1976), University ofVirginia; Ph.D. (1978), NorthTexas State University; J.D. (1980), South Texas College of Law. Dr. Blue is a psychologist and trial attorney, specializing in toxic tort litigation, with the law firm of Baron & Budd in Dallas, Texas. She has tried over 175 criminal and civil cases to verdict. Her civil trials have included issues such as asbestos, TCE, carbon disulfide, radiation, and other toxic substances. * B.A. (1978), cum laude, Clark University; J.D. (1981), St. Mary's University School of Law. Mr. Hirschhorn is a jury and trial consultant and is the president of Cathy E. Bennett & Associates, Inc., in Lewisville, Texas. His firm primarily works on civil cases for both plaintiff and defendants. For further information, see their web page at www.cebjury.com. This Article is an adaptation of a chapter from a forthcoming book by the authors.

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