\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 From today's Dallas Morning News: Below is a list of some reasons eligible jurors were rejected for service, which appeals courts have upheld as "race-neutral." The reasons are included in "Batson Basics," a reference guide given to new Dallas County prosecutors. The guide is distributed as part of the 2004 Prosecutor Trial Skills Course offered by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. • Agreed with O.J. Simpson verdict • Favorite TV show was Judge Judy • Distrust of newspapers • Limited reading material: mystery, romance novels and the Bible • No religious preference; participated in church activities • Misspelled name of religion • Watched gospel TV programs • Single; unmarried with seven children • Worried about child care • Liberal; friends "smoked weed" • Poor opinion of prostitutes, those in the illegal drug trade • Had a 1970s hairdo, or long hair and a goatee • Wore earrings (male) or a nose ring • Wore sunglasses; T-shirt Malcolm X hat; pink hat • Snakeskin belt; "Bad Boys Club" jacket • Body language; poor facial expression • Chewing gum • Obese; very attractive • Didn't speak; very vocal • Angry; expressionless • Laughed at prosecutor's question Smiled at or flirted with defendant • Inattentive, unresponsive or asleep • Worked for a labor union • Teachers; postal workers; courthouse employees • Psychologists; consumer advocates Below are reasons upheld as "race-neutral" by Dallas County felony judges. An asterisk means one judge ruled the excuse race-neutral while another considered it a pretext for race bias. • Considers rehabilitation most important part of punishment • Had gold teeth • Had no teeth* • Unkempt or disheveled • Wore earrings or a ponytail (man) • Jewelry* • Wore sunglasses or hat in court • Unhappy or had a bad attitude • Sleeping or inattentive • Smiled at defense attorney • Gave defense lawyer "a look" • Too liberal • Job too menial; housekeeper • Court reporter; attorney • Teacher; truck driver • Worked in financial industry • Worked in prison system • Family member in security business • Unemployed or not employed long enough • A 7th-grade education • Foreign-born* • Reads only professional journals • Has narrow interests • Gave bad first impression* • Liked the prosecutor • Looked bored or angry • Inattentive • Didn't fill in name on juror card • Hesitated in answering question SOURCE: Texas District & County Attorneys Association; Dallas Morning News review of 19 trials from 2002-05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 From today's Dallas Morning News: Below is a list of some reasons eligible jurors were rejected for service, which appeals courts have upheld as "race-neutral." The reasons are included in "Batson Basics," a reference guide given to new Dallas County prosecutors. The guide is distributed as part of the 2004 Prosecutor Trial Skills Course offered by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. • Agreed with O.J. Simpson verdict • Favorite TV show was Judge Judy • Distrust of newspapers • Limited reading material: mystery, romance novels and the Bible • No religious preference; participated in church activities • Misspelled name of religion • Watched gospel TV programs • Single; unmarried with seven children • Worried about child care • Liberal; friends "smoked weed" • Poor opinion of prostitutes, those in the illegal drug trade • Had a 1970s hairdo, or long hair and a goatee • Wore earrings (male) or a nose ring • Wore sunglasses; T-shirt Malcolm X hat; pink hat • Snakeskin belt; "Bad Boys Club" jacket • Body language; poor facial expression • Chewing gum • Obese; very attractive • Didn't speak; very vocal • Angry; expressionless • Laughed at prosecutor's question Smiled at or flirted with defendant • Inattentive, unresponsive or asleep • Worked for a labor union • Teachers; postal workers; courthouse employees • Psychologists; consumer advocates Below are reasons upheld as "race-neutral" by Dallas County felony judges. An asterisk means one judge ruled the excuse race-neutral while another considered it a pretext for race bias. • Considers rehabilitation most important part of punishment • Had gold teeth • Had no teeth* • Unkempt or disheveled • Wore earrings or a ponytail (man) • Jewelry* • Wore sunglasses or hat in court • Unhappy or had a bad attitude • Sleeping or inattentive • Smiled at defense attorney • Gave defense lawyer "a look" • Too liberal • Job too menial; housekeeper • Court reporter; attorney • Teacher; truck driver • Worked in financial industry • Worked in prison system • Family member in security business • Unemployed or not employed long enough • A 7th-grade education • Foreign-born* • Reads only professional journals • Has narrow interests • Gave bad first impression* • Liked the prosecutor • Looked bored or angry • Inattentive • Didn't fill in name on juror card • Hesitated in answering question SOURCE: Texas District & County Attorneys Association; Dallas Morning News review of 19 trials from 2002-05 415611[/snapback] Do you know if these were "for cause" dismissals or peremptory challenges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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