Race and Jury Selection



Race and Jury Selection

Introduction

The research study that I will be reflecting on in this paper was carried out by Samuel R. Sommers and Michael I. Norton of Tufts University, Harvard Business School. The title of the research is “Race and Jury Selection: Psychological Perspectives on the Peremptory Challenge Debate ” and it was published by the American Psychological Association in the year 2008. In the study, the authors have made use of a viable psychological framework in order to understand the aspects regarding race that have an influence on the selection of jury (Sommers, & Norton, 2008). Race is considered as the main challenge in this article and focus is placed on peremptory challenge, which allows attorneys to remove jurors without any explanation. There are certain questions to which the research study aims to get the answers to, by examination of justifications that are given when peremptory challenge is practiced and by studying empirical research that will analyze use of peremptory challenge and impact of race. Other than that, the procedures for selection of jury are also examined in the research study (Sommers, & Norton, 2008).

Background and Assumptions

There are two ways through litigants can ask for removal of particular jurors in jury selection. In case the judge is convinced that the juror will not act impartial, then he can remove that person from the panel jury and this will result in a successful challenge for cause. Apart from that, another option which the litigants can seek if the first option fails is to use any one of the peremptory challenges that are available in a limited number and also called the peremptories. The most widely used argument in favor of this practice states that it is important to allow the attorneys to remove jurors in case ...