Mock Jury Research

mock jury – n., pl., a group of people brought together to imitate a jury as a means for litigators to present case evidence in a simulated setting before actually going to trial.

We can show you how to utilize mock jury research.

Societal perceptions rapidly change, Market Decisions' mock jury research sheds light on the basic truths and motivating factors behind jury psychology. Jury research saves you time and money, takes you through the selection process to ensure a representative pool of jurors, and provides you with vital information. The strategies developed and tested during research pay off when you need it most at trial.

Mock jury research can save thousands of dollars and priceless hours of litigation time. Why spend months of case preparation, only to discover that the critical elements of your case did not resonate with the jury? As our clients know, jury research can help you understand a jury’s psychology by discovering key motivating factors and how to exploit them. Jury research is money well spent assisting litigators in choosing precise strategies for case preparation and litigation.

"I've been a trial lawyer for over 20 years; this is the best experience IIve ever had as a lawyer. This is as close as you can get to looking into the mind of the jury."

--
Tim Kosnoff, Law Offices of Timothy D. Kosnoff

Match the Jurisdiction Jury Pool

We understand the importance of selecting a jury that accurately reflects the needs of your case. To address those needs, we . . .
  • Develop quotas based upon specific demographic characteristics (i.e., race, gender, income, age etc.)
  • Use seasoned recruiters to locate respondents who match your specifications, but also look for intangible qualities including respondents who are articulate, responsive and engaging.
  • Once the recruiting work is completed, employ MDC’s four-step recruiting and confirmation process. This includes: the initial call, call backs by supervisors, letters with map and directions mailed to respondents, and follow-up confirmation calls to ensure that the respondents whom we have all worked so hard to find show up on the day of your mock jury.
  • This process ensures the perfect group every time and is one of the reasons our clients continue to use Market Decisions.
Market Decisions made the whole process easy!

--
Aaron Abbott, Jury Behavior Research, Inc.

That Needed Edge

Mock jury research empowers lawyers by giving them invaluable information prior to trial. This information is achieved through our understanding of the elements necessary to facilitate successful jury research.

  • We understand the confidential nature of the process and the need to eliminate biases, while pinpointing the correct respondents. Our highly trained recruiters adhere to rigorous standards which prohibit disclosing any information that could introduce biases to prospective respondents.
  • We understand and encourage pre-group questionnaires, post-presentation questionnaires and post-deliberation questionnaires that help you measure respondents' biases and leanings at every crucial step throughout this process.
  • We provide complete audio and visual recordings, which capture every word and nuance of “juror” input. These recordings allow you to analyze and dissect each of the separate juries at a later date allowing for better concentration and assimilation of information. Transcription services are also available.

What You Can Expect

In addition to all of the above, we understand that in today’s business environment ever increasing demand has been placed on quick turn-around. We pride ourselves on providing exemplary service without sacrificing quality. Fast, efficient, thorough work provides the solid foundation from which we operate and manage every project. With over twenty-five years of market research experience, serving hundreds of clients, our methods have developed into an approach that is efficient, but more importantly delivers unequaled value.

The Real Bottom Line: Winning

Mock Jury Research will give you a stronger and better understanding of how a jury interprets your case. This invaluable information can make all the difference in how you plan, strategize, and execute your case.

Let us show you how Market Decisions can assist you in using this valuable research method. Market Decisions' Mock Jury Research specialist is ready to discuss your project requirements.

A Case Study

"One of the best outcomes of this experience was that it validated the beliefs we had in our case. More important was that it renewed our energy and convinced our client to 'hang-in-there' and not take the other side's first offer."

--
Tim Kosnoff, Law Offices of Timothy D. Kosnoff

Objective: Determine Scope of Compensation

Methodology: Mock Jury

The Case: Two juries of 12 respondents each from the Tri-County jurisdiction of Portland, Oregon were impaneled in a mock jury setting at Market Decisions' Barbur Blvd. offices. The respondents were selected via phone survey to match the jury pool demographics and were screened for unwanted bias, particularly in relation to child abuse. Respondents who had intimate knowledge of, or had ever been associated with the plaintiffs or defendants or their attorneys, were eliminated as in the process of voie dire.

Liability was conceded by the defendant in order to speed up the process and, in turn, concentrate on the key questions of compensation. Both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s cases were presented, including some actual testimony by the plaintiff in the case. Jurors were given jury instructions and convened into separate chambers for deliberations.

Benefits and Outcome: About 90 minutes of deliberations resulted in much higher than expected awards by both juries. While this was an added bonus, one trial attorney stated the following:

The results of this research were used affirmatively in negotiating a settlement.