With the advent of online jury selections, many attorneys are wondering how the online selections are different from in person selections. Here is a look at core differences we’ve identified.

Keeping Track of Who Is In the “Box”

In the courtroom, you’re used to seeing all of the jurors you’re questioning in the jury box. That’s much harder to accomplish in online jury selections, but there are ways you can prepare. First, you’ll need a large monitor that has a webcam mounted to the top of it. Next, if you’re using Zoom, you can change the video layout to a custom Gallery View. Once the first, let’s say 18, jurors are identified, individual counsel or the court clerk can arrange the potential jurors’ thumbnail pictures according to their order in the virtual “box.”

Making Objections To Questioning

The reliance on Zoom means navigating some new issues. For example, in an effort to prevent the waiting jurors from interrupting questioning, a clerk in an asbestos trial muted the microphones for all participants except the questioning attorney and the judge. The problem there is that opposing counsel couldn’t make objections to questioning because they couldn’t unmute their own mics. Plan ahead with the court staff to make sure the host knows which participants should remain unmuted throughout questioning.

Sidebars & Breakout Rooms

The Zoom jury selections we’ve observed excluded some members of the trial team in the online sidebars or in their side’s private breakout rooms. Verify with the court clerk or whoever else is managing the breakout rooms to ensure that all members of your team are included. You’ll also need to check that your team members have their names displayed in the same way as they were provided to the court clerk when preparing for the online jury selection.

Reliable Backchannel Communications

One of the benefits of doing a jury selection online is that your entire team can exchange information behind the scenes, in real time. Using a platform like Slack or other web-based chat programs can be key in that process. Make sure the communication platform is reliable and accessible to all members of your team and support staff. One of those programs is the best way to stay in contact throughout voir dire. With more members of your team tuned in to chat, you’re likely to address problems as soon as possible and get crucial input during questioning.