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Jury Center

The jury is a cornerstone of the US legal system, but access to fair and representative juries is far from guaranteed. From who is on the master jury list, to who receives a summons, to who is seated in the jury box, each step of the process reflects, and reinforces, systemic inequities. The Jury Center is NACDL's central resource for criminal defense attorneys and those working to understand this process. This Center brings together legal tools, training, litigation strategies, and data to support your advocacy at every stage, from jury pool formation to voir dire

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Master Jury List Formation

Courts compile a list of eligible jurors using community data sources like voter registration, driver’s license records, or utility rolls. This list forms the foundation for both grand and trial jury service.
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Grand Jury Selection

From the master list, individuals may be called to serve on a grand jury, which reviews evidence in secret to decide whether criminal charges should be filed. Grand juries do not determine guilt and typically exclude defense participation.

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Jury Summons and Disqualification

Potential jurors are summoned from the master list. At this stage, courts screen for disqualifications based on legal, logistical, or personal hardship criteria—often disproportionately excluding people from marginalized communities.

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Voir Dire

During voir dire, prospective jurors are questioned to uncover bias. Attorneys use strikes to seat a fair jury—yet bias, race, and credibility still shape outcomes.

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Jury Trial

A trial (petit) jury of 6–12 people hears evidence from both sides and determines guilt or innocence. The fairness and representativeness of this jury can significantly impact trial outcomes.

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