Tools to keep jurors engaged: the era of the passive juror is over. Research has shown that allowing jurors to actively participate in the trial process yields a more engaged and motivated panel - and promotes justice for all.

Trial, March, 2008 by Krauss, Elissa; MacPherson, Susan J.

The juror is slouched in his seat and looking at the ceiling, out the window, at the floor. He s looking at everything but the witness stand. Another juror stares at the witness stand appearing attentive, but she's actually making mental lists of errands to run during the lunch break and groceries to pick up on her way home. Jurors are required to attend the trial, but they can't be required to focus their attention once they get there.

Why do jurors mentally wander in and out of the courtroom? In post-trial interviews, jurors have said:

* "They used so many technical terms that I couldn't follow what they were saying, so after a while I kind of gave up."

* "Nobody gave a real explanation of what they were trying to prove until the end, so it...

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