Frequently Asked Questions
What is TrialJuries?
We are an online "mock jury" system. The goal of TrialJuries is to provide an easy to use and affordable way for lawyers to get the "real world" feedback that a mock jury provides, without the great effort and expense that this process has required in the physical world. TrialJuries brings the benefits of a mock jury to lawyers with smaller cases than typically justify a traditional jury focus group.
Keep reading for more details.......
How does it work?
Attorneys log onto the TrialJuries site and submit a case (see below). After the case submission is complete (you can take as long as you need to complete the submission, returning as often to the site as is necessary), the case is sent to a panel of jurors for review. The jurors log on, review the case submission, and answer the Verdict and Feedback questions. When the last juror has rendered its verdict, you will receive an e mail from us. Just log on and view a series of reports that allow you to analyze the jury's decision and responses.
How much does it cost?
TrialJuries has a basic price structure, with three tiers that depend on the type of presentation you want to make to the jury:
- 1. Text: The basic cost to make a written submission to the jury of your plaintiff and defendant case presentations is $1500. Written presentations are limited to 7-10 pages total.
- 2. Audio: For $2000, you can make an oral presentation to the jury. Under this option you would record an audio statement of the case for plaintiff and defendant (much like an opening argument, although the details are up to you). You can either make a recording on your own and send it to us (many PCs make it easy to do this), or you can call a special telephone number and leave a "voicemail" with your presentation. Audio presentations should be limited to about 20 minutes total.
- 3. Video: For $2500, you can submit a video presentation. As with the audio presentation, a video statement of the case for plaintiff and defendant will most likely resemble an opening statement. You can, however, include demonstrative evidence, etc. Video presentations should be limited to about 20 minutes total.
Each of the options above entitles you to also submit up to 4 documentary exhibits (such as photographs or short documents) to a panel of 15 jurors.
In addition, as part of the process, you may submit up to 5 "Verdict Questions" (like the ones you plan to submit at your actual trial) and 5 "Feedback Questions" (to get juror's impressions, reactions, etc.). Responses to these questions will be presented to you in a number of reports that you can view on the TrialJuries site, or download and print.
What if I have a more complex case?
It's possible that some cases will require longer statements of the case, more than five verdict or feedback questions, or more than 15 jurors. No problem. Just contact us to discuss your needs. We can accommodate all types of cases and we will work out a modified fee for larger, more complex, matters.
Can TrialJuries predict what the verdict will be in my case?
Heavens no! We can't do that. What we can do though is give you some insights into how your case may be received by people like those who will be on the jury that hears your case in court. We will ask our jurors to submit a verdict -- but you'll get 15 individual responses to your case, not a unified result that is the product of the deliberative process. Still, that "verdict", together with jurors responses to the focus-group like "feedback" questions, will help you better predict how your panel may respond to your case.
Who are the jurors?
The jurors are all real people who meet the generally imposed requirements for jury service. We use a number of mechanisms to recruit a broad range of people from around the country to serve as our "virtual jurors". When you submit a case, we ask for the zip code in which it is pending. We then select a random group of jurors from the area surrounding that zip code to hear your case.
What do I have to do to be a juror?
It's easy -- just click the "Sign Up" link above, then click the link for Jurors. The requirements for being a TrialJuries juror are much like those for being a "real" juror. You must be at least 18 years of age, be a United States citizen and not have been convicted of a felony.
What do I get for being a juror?
We will pay you for your effort with us. Your participation to review the attorneys case submissions and answer their questions should take about an hour. In most cases, we'll pay you $30. For more complex cases, we'll pay you more. Payments are made via PayPal within a few days of your completion of your work on each case.
How many cases must a juror participate in?
There are no requirements. Once you sign up, you will be eligible to receive assignments and be a part of our "virtual juries". Please note that signing up makes you eligible to receive case assignments, but does not guarantee that you will receive cases. Our case assignments are based on the nature and location of the cases submitted by participating law firms. Within certain constraints, case assignments to individual jurors are made on a random basis. You have no obligation and can discontinue your participation at any time.
Will I know who the jurors are?
No, you will not be given any information that identifies specific jurors by name. You are, however, given a great deal of demographic information about each juror (age, income, education, etc.) so that you can analyze their verdicts. Our Power Report will let you break down the juror's answers to each Verdict and Feedback question. You will be able to view each answer by as many or as few demographic variables as you like -- all to allow you to see patterns and correlations in the jurors' responses to your case.
How do I submit a case to TrialJuries?
The first step is to complete a short form with basic information to help you identify the case, and to let us know where it is pending so that we can assign jurors from the correct venue.
After that, you have a few choices: you can make a "Text" submission in which you add a written "statement of the case" from the side of both plaintiff and defendant. Or, you can submit audio or video files for your statements of the case (much like opening statements would be in the real trial).
Then just add your Verdict questions and Feedback questions and you're set. In addition to giving you valuable "real world" feedback about your case, the process also helps you sharpen your presentation for the real thing.
How do I know when my case has been decided?
After all of the jurors for your case have reached a verdict, we'll send you an e mail to let you know that the case has been decided. Just log onto TrialJuries, look under the "Completed Cases" heading, and click the name of the case. You'll be taken right to our Reports section where you can view and analyze the jury's Verdict and Feedback.
Can I see a demo?
Absolutely. Just click here and you can enter a fully functioning demo of TrialJuries. There are a few limitations on the demo account. You cannot add, edit or delete users from the demo firm. You cannot actually send a case to the jury. You can do everything else -- including adding cases to the system and preparing the jury submission for those cases.
Since you are not able to send your newly added cases to the jury, you will be unable to see jury verdicts (and reports) for those cases. We have put a "completed" case on the system so that you can see what the verdict report looks like. See the link on the next screen to "Miller v Bud" under the "Completed Cases" heading.
Click on one of the cases under the "Cases with incomplete Jury Submissions" heading to work on a case. Those with (TEXT), (AUDIO) or (VIDEO) after their names will give you examples of the different types of jury submissions that you can make. The case "Great Taste v. Less Filling" has the most complete submission (including exhibits, verdict and feedback questions)
How much does it cost to sign up?
Nothing. You can sign up -- and create user accounts for yourself and others in your law firm -- for no cost at all. We'll only charge you after you actually submit a case and the jury has returned its verdict.
How can I get started?
It's easy! Just click here and fill out the form to sign up as either a juror or as an attorney interested in using TrialJuries. You can submit your first case right away, or wait until the time is right.