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Commission on the American Jury

Welcome to the 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.

News and Updates

Reasons for the Disappearing Jury Trial

The Commission releases its findings on the disappearing jury trial in both civil and criminal cases.

ABA News

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ABA House adopts measures intended to fight bias in schools and on juries

ABA House of Delegates adopts Resolution 116, which amends Principles 2(B) and 6 of the ABA Principles for Juries and Jury Trials

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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 co-authors, Commission members Judge William Caprathe, Paula-Hannaford-Agor, Stephanie McCoy Loquvam, and Professor Shari Seidman Diamond, provide useful guidelines for assessing and improving representatives in juries. This article is featured in the Spring 2016 issue of The Judges’ Journal, the Judicial Division’s quarterly magazine.

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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. This presentation will explore best practices and the related ethical limitations.

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The Importance of Civility in the Courtroom

A podcast featuring the Hon. James Holderman, Dick A. Semerdjian, and Mary Grace Chaeffer, on why legal professionals need to be cognizant of civility in the courtroom, the strategies they use to implement it, changes they’d like to see in the legal world regarding civility, and more.

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Chief Judge James F. Holderman on Jury Trials

James F. Holderman, Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, who chaired the ABA Commission on the American Jury Project, underscores the importance of the “Principles for Juries & Jury Trials“ for creating better justice through better juries.

Contact Us

Kris Berliant, Program Manager, 800.238.2667 ext. 5700, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654