For example, a listing of the key characteristics of jurors in a hypothetical trial venire is illustrated below. The attorney can use such a list to have a clearer picture of the best strategy for exercising peremptory challenges in light of the impact of removing any particular juror. Finally, it is relatively easy to compare individual jurors to the results of any jury studies conducted in the case. In many cases, jury research studies, such as surveys and trial simulations, can provide information as to the profiles of favorable and unfavorable jurors. These profiles are often in the form of mathematical equations.
Computers can easily calculate the favorability of jurors when such profiles are available.
This information is extremely useful in those trial jurisdictions where attorneys must exercise their peremptory challenges without the benefit of questioning the jurors who will replace the excluded jurors. When using jury questionnaires, and in particular when using a juror summary form, attorneys should request that the completed questionnaires be made available sufficiently ahead of time to allow proper evaluation of the information. Several methods exist that will allow sufficient time for the evaluation of information jury questionnaires contain. First, jurors can be mailed the questionnaires ahead of the date of trial with instructions for their return prior to trial. The returned questionnaires are then made available to the parties one to several days before trial for their consideration.