The MBA supports the recent release of Superior
Court Standing Order 1-15 governing the protocols for
attorney-conducted voir
dire, which addresses the questioning of prospective jurors in
Superior Court jury trials. With the release of this order, the
court has taken a tremendous step toward assuring fairness in jury
trials.
"This is a great day for justice," said MBA
President Marsha V. Kazarosian. "By addressing key elements such as
panel voir dire and
the standards for dismissing jurors for cause, the protocols are a
welcome advancement for all Massachusetts trial lawyers who work
towards impartiality in our courts. The MBA applauds Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants, Superior Court Chief
Justice Judith Fabricant and the SJC Committee on Juror Voir Dire for crafting a
well-reasoned, comprehensive and thoughtful approach to the use of
attorney voir
dire in Massachusetts. These protocols provide for a
much-needed segue into the process as judges and lawyers learn
together in its evolution. We look forward to working with the
courts to implement and hone the skills of voir dire to root
out juror bias."