Like many aspects of litigation at the moment, jury trials remain on hold for an indefinite period of time as we continue to navigate through the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both civil and criminal jury trials are suspended in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When it comes time for jury trials to resume in the region, trial lawyers will need to prepare for new attitudes and biases that jurors may develop due to this pandemic. Understanding these new attitudes and biases and the impact they will have on your case is essential, not only when picking a jury once the hold is lifted, but also as a consideration when litigating your cases today.

New Problem, Same Analysis

Prospective jurors, like all of us, have been impacted by COVID-19 and this impact is likely to affect their thinking and decision making when evaluating cases. New biases and attitudes will shape verdicts and deliver outcomes in cases that may be different than what we would have expected before the pandemic.