Does it Matter if the Jury likes Me?

The technical answer is that it shouldn’t impact the jury’s decision. It shouldn’t matter if the jury likes the defendant in a criminal trial. The jury's obligation is to decide the case based on the evidence presented in court and to follow the instructions given by the Judge. The jury’s must be based solely on the facts of the case and the law, regardless of personal bias or personal feelings. However, what happens if it does? What happens if it matters a great deal whether the jury likes you? If you are facing serious criminal charges in Minnesota, make sure that you consultation with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney. If possible, make sure that lawyer is also a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist.

“What happens when likability becomes synonymous with believability? It can change the dynamic of a trial.”

Should Likability Matter?

Frankly, it shouldn’t. However, what happens if we change the term to believability or credibility. You see, a jury has the power and the obligation to assess every witness who takes the stand. It is also their job to determine whether that witness is telling the truth, may be biased or motivated to lie. As a result, this subjective analysis can sometimes come down to whether or not the jury likes the person. If they do, if may change how that jury sees that person’s testimony or the testimony of another witness and that person’s credibility or believability. .

When the jury is trying to assess whether the State has proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt, it is the job of the defense attorneys to present the defendant's case and try to persuade the jury that the defendant is not guilty or that the State simply hasn’t fulfilled their burden of proof. In the end, the jury should evaluate based upon the facts and the law but the facts can be colored by perceptions of honesty, integrity, and sometimes even good will.

Prior to the jury being seated, there is a process called voir dire or jury selection. The purpose of voir dire is to pick a set of jurors who can be fair, unbiased and can apply the law as instructed by the Court. They are sworn to do this. However, the Court simply cannot instruct a juror to believe one witness over the other. This is in the hands of the jurors themselves and they get to decide what characteristics matter including likability.

“Whether it is a domestic assault, a sex crimes or some other criminal case, especially in “He Said, She Said Cases”, likability may actually play an even more important role for the jury in determining guilt.”

If you are facing serious criminal charges in Minnesota, whether they a domestic charges, rape charges, theft charges or more, having an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney by your side may be critical. They can let you know about your rights, the process that is coming at you and how to move forward and prepare for a trial.

Jack Rice is a former prosecutor, a former CIA Officer, and a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. He is also the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm based on Cathedral Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 65-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.