Jury Selection in the Black Lives Matter Era

"Prospective jurors at risk for being removed for supporting BLM are disproportionately people of color, which raises concerns about jury representativeness and the legitimacy of verdicts."

"Jurors with less favorable views of BLM report higher levels of anti-Black bias, indicating a troubling correlation between BLM attitudes and racial prejudices."

"Those who hold less favorable views on BLM are more prone to acquit police officers who use fatal force against Black individuals, highlighting a significant bias in jury decisions."

"Evidence-based voir dire reforms are needed to prevent discrimination in jury selection and to ensure that juries are impartial and representative of the community."

Jurors supporting BLM are often people of color, leading to their disproportionate exclusion during voir dire. Those with less favorable views on BLM show higher anti-Black bias and are more likely to acquit police using fatal force against Black individuals. This practice threatens jury diversity and legitimacy. Evidence-based reforms in voir dire are necessary to prevent discrimination and ensure impartiality in jury selection, addressing the psychological implications of these biases.

Read at Psychology Today