Nearly 25 years after Batson v. Kentucky, racial exclusion in jury selection is still common, according to a study of practices in southern states released Wednesday.
“In courtrooms across the United States, people of color are dramatically underrepresented on juries as a result of racially biased use of peremptory strikes,” the report by the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative stated. “This phenomenon is especially prevalent in capital cases and other serious felony cases. Many communities have failed to make juries inclusive and representative of all who have a right to serve.”
