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National Judicial Institute
October 4 2017 - October 6 2017

Criminal Jury Trials Seminar

This course was intended for new judges and built on the jury training provided during the Seminar for New Federally Appointed Judges

Number of Participants: 65

Overview

This course was intended for new judges and built on the jury training provided during the Seminar for New Federally Appointed Judges

Objective

The objective of this seminar was to provide judges with comprehensive training on the evidentiary, procedural and substantive law challenges which emerge in criminal jury trials, from pre-trial applications through to the taking of the verdict.

Summary

Led by senior judges with expertise in this area, and delivered by using a combination of short lectures, panel discussions and small-group exercises, this seminar covered the following topics: pre-trial applications; Charter considerations; trial management powers; jury selection; trials involving multiple accused; trials involving self-represented accused; the impact of lost or destroyed evidence; novel expert evidence and the judge’s gatekeeper function; social context; preserving juror impartiality; evidentiary rules and procedural challenges; dealing with vulnerable witnesses; instructions on post-offence conduct and circumstantial evidence; unique considerations arising in prosecutions for sexual offences; and post-charge instructions to the jury.