Criminal Law Blog
How Jury Selection Works during a Texas Criminal Case
Posted on October 18, 2017 by Law Office of Brett A Podolsky
Most defendants and their families and loved ones have questions about jury selection in a Texas criminal case. Jury selection, or voir dire, is considered the most crucial part of the jury trial because it determines: The jurors who will sit in judgment of the defendant in a trial. The jury’s first impression about the issues involves. The attorneys’ first opportunities to make positive or negative impressions upon...
Bench Trial vs. Jury Trial: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Both
Posted on August 23, 2017 by Law Office of Brett A Podolsky
What’s the best option to render your trial verdict—a jury or a judge? In a criminal trial, the defendant is allowed to choose to have a trial by jury or a trial by judge, also called a bench trial. There are specific advantages to having your case heard in a bench trial instead of a jury trial: Bench trials are often less time-consuming. They may also be...
What is an ‘Impartial Jury’?
Posted on February 19, 2013 by Law Office of Brett A Podolsky
You have the right to a fair trial with an impartial jury as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. An impartial jury is made up of a cross-section of the public. However, a 2012 study of 700 felony trials published by The Quarterly Journal of Economics suggested that juries without at least one member of the defendant’s race often decided against the defendant. If you are charged with...