Assistant District Attorney Dallas County District Attorney's Office
This workshop will discuss the various issues that prosecutors face during jury selection for cases involving the sexual abuse of a child. The presenters will discuss themes and theories of child abuse cases and how to address those during voir dire. Topics such as child abuse dynamics, young witnesses, family/loved one responses, and lack of medical/physical evidence will be examined. The presenters will address identifying causation questions, pros and cons of questionnaires, and tools for detecting bias and prejudice in potential jurors. The presentation will also include an abbreviated mock pick. Participants will learn how to educate jurors on these matters starting at the very beginning of a trial.
Learning Objectives:
Identifying unfavorable jurors and how to strike them for cause
Identify tools for detecting bias and prejudice in potential jurors
Identify and expand on ways to educate the jury in areas of child abuse dynamics, grooming, and what evidence jurors should expect.
