Sonia Chopra · Rahul Ravipudi

I. PSYCHOLOGY OF DECISION MAKING (10 Minutes)

Overview of key social science concepts to remember for case framing, crafting voir dire questions and developing juror profiles.Topics include defensive attribution, cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, hindsight bias, fundamental attribution error, and the black sheep effect. 

II. RELEVANT CALIFORNIA LAW / CCP CODES (5 Minutes)

III. JURY DESELECTION TECHNIQUES (30 Minutes)

• Goals of Voir Dire
• Identifying Voir Dire Topics
• Mini Openings
• Attorney Demeanor and Style
• Crafting Questionnaires
• Voir Dire Questions: Judge and Attorney
• Dealing with Time Constraints
• Questions / Language to avoid
• Challenges for Cause
• Batson Wheeler Challenges
• Peremptory Challenge Strategy

IV. LIVE JURY SELECTION PREPARATION AND DEMONSTRATION(45 Minutes)

Mock “Day Before” Strategy Session: Sonia and Rahul will review juror background questionnaires, provide initial ratings and discuss their strategy for questioning.

Mock Voir Dire: Watch a demonstration of mini openings, Rahul’s signature voir dire introduction approach, questioning of mock jurors with real time suggestions/feedback from Sonia.

Challenges for Cause/Peremptory Demonstration and Interactive Audience Discussion