7th Circuit outlines test to assess potential juror’s beliefs, impartiality

Federal Courts

By Jay S. Judge

Jay S. Judge, a name partner of Judge, James & Kujawa LLC in Park Ridge, is a defense attorney who specializes in trials, appeals and insurance coverage. Judge graduated with honors from The John Marshall Law School and served as editor-in-chief of the school’s law review.

Posted October 28, 2014 2:47 PM

Prospective jurors come to jury selection with a number of preconceived notions of the law. To assess those views, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals offers a two-part voir dire test to determine when a prospective juror can be dismissed for cause for possessing beliefs showing a bias so strong he or she cannot be impartial. Plaintiff Kenneth Marshall was arrested by Chicago police executing a search warrant on his residence. They found a shotgun in his bedroom, which was unlawful for a convicted felon. He later …

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