When you’re the defendant in a high-stakes criminal trial, as is often the case with white collar crimes, you want to take advantage of anything and everything that could tilt the odds in your favor of a successful outcome.
One of the most difficult things to anticipate in any trial, however, is the “human element.” You never know what a jury will do – but a jury consultant might.
What’s a jury consultant?
A jury consultant is a professional who blends their knowledge of psychology, sociology and human behavior to give legal teams and those they represent a better understanding of what to expect from the jurors on a case.
Jury consultants can help with:
- Juror selection strategy: Consultants can help your legal team develop profiles of the “ideal” jurors for your case, based on personality traits, life experiences, demographics and attitudes that may influence their perceptions and decision-making processes.
- Voir dire: A consultant can help your legal team during the jury selection process by guiding them through questioning techniques that will uncover biases that can affect a juror’s impartiality.
- Witness preparation: Jury consultants often help defendants and defense witnesses prepare to testify effectively. For example, they can help a defendant better connect with a jury through their use of body language and eye contact, and help expert witnesses understand how to communicate complex information in easily digestible language.
- Presentation strategy: Jury consultants also advise defendants on how to make the biggest impact on the jury during their opening and closing statements. They can also help legal teams understand when visual aids or demonstrations will refine their presentations.
In white collar cases, where complex financial transactions and legal concepts may be at play, a jury consultant may prove invaluable – but the decision to hire one should be made based on the specific circumstances of your case in consultation with your defense team.