The Commission began in 2003 under the leadership of ABA President-Elect Robert J. Grey, Jr. His vision was to bring four ABA groups together to focus on the importance of the jury in the American democratic tradition as practiced at the beginning of the 21st Century by addressing key aspects of jury composition, comprehension, and culture.
Commission on the American Jury
We are excited to be continuing the combined work of the American Jury Project and the Commission on the American Jury.
Principles for Juries and Jury Trials
The American jury is a living institution that has played a crucial part in our democracy for more than two hundred years. The American Bar Association recognizes the legal community’s ongoing need to refine and improve jury practice so that the right to jury trial is preserved and juror participation enhanced. What follows is a set of twenty Principles that define our fundamental aspirations for the management of the jury system.
Reasons for the Disappearing Jury Trial
To evaluate the sources of decline in both civil and criminal jury trials and to assess what changes might slow down or reverse the disappearance of the American jury trial, the Commission conducted a national survey of attorneys and judges.
Assessing and Achieving Jury Pool Representativeness
An inclusive and representative jury pool is critical to preserving the right to a fair and impartial jury. The authors provide useful guidelines for assessing and improving representatives in juries.
Researching Jurors During Voir Dire: #Do, #Don’t, & #HowTo
An ABA ethics opinion provides that lawyers may use information they gather about potential jurors using the internet and social media during voir dire. Local jurisdictions and judges are implementing policies on the use of social media research.
Dialogue on the American Jury
The Dialogue on the American Jury is designed to help high school classrooms and community groups explore the many issues related to trial by jury.
Jury Innovation Resource Kit
In our efforts to advance the implementation of the ABA Principles on Juries and Jury Trials and reach out to the public, third party interest groups, government officials, national media, and the legal profession as a whole on the importance of jury service and jury reform the Commission has developed the Jury Innovation Resource Kit.
Juror Appreciation Week
Many states recognize the contributions of jurors by holding a Juror Appreciation Week. To help you promote your programs, we offer the following posters, sound bytes, jury bookmarks, and juror appreciation kit. Juror Appreciation Week also coincides with Law Day, May 1; see what Law Day programs are being planned in your area.