Picking a fair Florida jury for Donald Trump could prove a herculean task

[Social Media]

 

When Donald Trump goes on trial in his classified documents case, the court will have to find 12 Florida jurors who can leave their opinion of the former president at the door. That won't be easy.

Jurors are supposed to assess the case on its merits, not their preconceived notion of the defendant. But with a figure as famous and polarising as Mr Trump, that could prove very difficult, lawyers from the state told the BBC.

To secure a conviction, the jury's decision must be unanimous. It would only take one juror voting in Mr Trump's favour for the US government to lose its case.

Both federal prosecutors and Mr Trump's defence team will use every tool - aggressive questioning, vetoes, legal manoeuvres, and potentially even psychologists - to help them weed out biased jurors. But even the most thorough tactics aren't fool-proof.

"The added element is people with agendas," said Rob Mendell, a Florida trial attorney. "You've got to be on the lookout for the snakes in the grass."

A politically polarised jury pool

The Justice Department charges that Mr Trump and an aide illegally took classified documents from the White House, stored them in unsecure places at his personal residence, and obstructed the government's efforts to retrieve them.

 

FULL STORY

 

[LosLobo]

Don't worry all is not lost.

 

World Iron Man triathlon competitor and World Court prosecutor, Jack Smith has a back-up plan in New Jersey and also possibly back in DC, after SCOTUS's decision on re-trials.

 

Jack Smith’s Backup Option - The Atlantic (archive.md)

 

SCOTUS ruling on venue too late to help Jack Smith vs. Trump (lawandcrime.com)

[Emdog]

"To secure a conviction, the jury's decision must be unanimous. It would only take one juror voting in Mr Trump's favour for the US government to lose its case."

Uh, I don't think that is how it works. If one holds out and won't go along with the other jurors to either acquit or convict in cases requiring unanimity, then it is called a "hung jury": no decision NOT gov losing case

The government then can decide to retry the case with a new jury or not.

[LosLobo]

29 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"To secure a conviction, the jury's decision must be unanimous. It would only take one juror voting in Mr Trump's favour for the US government to lose its case."

Uh, I don't think that is how it works. If one holds out and won't go along with the other jurors to either acquit or convict in cases requiring unanimity, then it is called a "hung jury": no decision NOT gov losing case

The government then can decide to retry the case with a new jury or not.

I agree but the judge can influence repeated trials and DOJ “Jury Shopping” for a conviction for the same offence could be problematic.

 

It could further exacerbate misguided public opinion and the House majority's even current unjustified perception of DOJ's bias, even more than it already has.

 

hung jury | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

 

How Many Times Can DOJ Try a Case After a Hung Jury? DOJ “Jury Shopping” for a Conviction – GRAND JURY TARGET

Edited June 26, 2023 by LosLobo

[Chomper Higgot]

So the people who said Trump will never be indicted have now switched to Trump will never be convicted.

 

Up next, Trump will never be sentenced.

[EVENKEEL]

21 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So the people who said Trump will never be indicted have now switched to Trump will never be convicted.

 

Up next, Trump will never be sentenced.

Who, what people?

[ozimoron]

29 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Who, what people?

Those who said he never committed any crimes.

[Trippy]

I could be a fair juror, because I don't give a darn either way.

I can't be the only one?

Edited June 26, 2023 by Trippy