On Trial: Our Nation's Jury System

02/27/2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Who serves on juries and who doesn't? How are citizens selected (and excluded)? Is geography a factor? Does the system work? How do jurors reach decisions behind the scenes? What happens when jurors disagree? Are reforms needed? Today a look at the jury system. If you've ever served on a jury – or ever wanted to serve on a jury

Guests:
Valerie Hans is Professor of Law at Cornell University. Her books include American Juries: The Verdict, Business on Trial: The Civil Jury and Corporate Responsibility, The Jury System: Contemporary Scholarship and Judging the Jury.
John Gastil is a communication professor at the University of Washington and founder of the Jury and Democracy Project. He's the author of books including Political Communication and Deliberation, and co–author of the forthcoming, The Jury and Democracy: How Jury Deliberation Promotes Civic Engagement and Political Participation.
Alan Cohen is a trial consultant based in Seattle. He's also a Communications Psychologist, a member of the American Psychological Association Psychology–Law Division, and of the American Society of Trial Consultants.