Defense attorneys face extraordinary challenges every day in their pursuit of justice for their clients. At the outset of every trial, they must confront the biases entrenched in jury panels—racism, sexism, classism, and other systemic prejudices that no one, including judges, jurors, prosecutors, or even defense attorneys, is entirely immune to.
To address this critical issue, the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide (CCDPW) at Cornell Law School developed the “Voir Dire Toolkit for the Defense of Women and Gender Minorities.” This innovative resource is designed to help defense attorneys assess juror impartiality and suitability, focusing on dismantling bias against women and gender minorities in the criminal legal system.
Attorney Jacqueline Goodman, a nationally recognized criminal litigation expert, was invited to serve as a peer reviewer during the toolkit’s development. Known for successfully defending women criminalized for miscarriage and her successful advocacy in the face of other gender-based injustices, Goodman was invited to play a key role in shaping this vital resource.
“I’m honored to have contributed to a project that has the potential to transform the way we confront bias in jury selection on a national level,” Goodman said. “The CCDPW’s toolkit is an invaluable asset for defenders everywhere working to advance justice for women and gender minorities.”
This toolkit reflects the CCDPW’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and that biases are actively confronted at every stage of the criminal legal process. With resources like this, defense attorneys are better equipped to secure fair trials and equitable outcomes.