STLA Zoom Voir Dire: Reaching Jurors Across the Remote Divide

Courts across the country have embraced the use of Zoom to conduct voir dire in these pandemic times. Due to high participation rates of prospective jurors, it is likely that some form of remote voir dire may continue even after COVID restrictions are ended.

Karen Koehler will share what she learned trying a product liability case recently where the jury was selected remotely. She and Judy Shahn, drama and speech coach, have teamed up to explore how to better communicate with participants over live video communication processes. Their presentation will cover:

-Tracking the jurors
-Ensuring your personality comes through with vocal energy, clarity, expressiveness, and screen presence
-Eye contact challenges
-When masks are required
-Connecting with a remote audience
-Creating community within the group
-Challenges for cause
-Peremptory challenges