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Domestic Violence Criminal Lawyer
Lenawee Michigan 2A District Court
Sample of Prosecutor Voir Dire

The voir dire process is jury selection.  Both sides get to address potential juors looking for the right jurors for their case.  Ultimately each side will challenge some jurors for cause, and some will be challenged and eliminated without showing cause.  Here are some questions prosecutors will ask of a jury to help win their case.  

· Do all of you understand that this case is the State of Michigan against the defendant, not the victim against the defendant? 

· Do you understand that this case is not like a civil case where it’s one person against the other?

· Do you all agree that there’s no exception in the law making it okay to assault a family member or spouse? Does anyone disagree with that?

· Does anyone believe police, prosecutors, court should not intervene in a domestic violence call?

· Do you all understand that the People have the burden of proving the elements of the charged crime beyond a reasonable doubt?

· If the People prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt, will you convict?

· What if the victim (recants/does not appear for trial/communicates to you that she does not want defendant prosecuted)? Will you still convict if each element of the crime is proved beyond a reasonable doubt?

· Do you all understand that a victim of domestic violence may have reasons for not participating in prosecuting her batterer, such as fear, promises or apologies from the batterer, or harassment? Do you all understand that those reasons may even lead a victim to actively oppose the prosecution?

· Does anyone believe that if a person uses alcohol or drugs they deserve what happens to them?

· Does anyone know a victim of domestic violence? Who was it? Were there injuries? Medical treatment? 

· Did that person stay in the relationship? Was the batterer prosecuted? Is there anything in that experience that makes it difficult or impossible for you to follow the law in this case?

· Does anyone know anyone who was accused or convicted of domestic violence? Here it’s important to follow up if someone does know such a person. What effect does that have on the way the person thinks about domestic violence? Can the person still be fair, or will they think that the allegation is too frequently made or often not true?

· Has anyone had any bad experiences with the police, prosecutor’s office, or courts for any reason?

To learn more about domestic violence in Michigan, click here. 

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