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Stress linked to jury duty
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October 1, 2002
Sonia Chopra knows that courtroom trials can be taxing on those who serve on juries. The former US jury consultant has studied the phenomenon of juror stress south of the border and confirmed in a recent Canadian study that jury duty can be fraught with stress.
Two-thirds of the 80 former criminal jurors interviewed had experienced stress as a result of their jury duty. More than 80 per cent believed that other jurors they had served with had also experienced stress.
Chopra, who has completed a PhD at SFU and graduates Oct. 3, says juror stress may impact jury decision-making. More than 60 per cent of interviewed jurors thought that stress had an effect on the thinking of some jurors. Seven of the top 10 stress inducing aspects of jury duty were related to the jury deliberations and reaching a verdict. "The research shows there is a critical need to find ways to reduce the level of stress faced by jurors both during and after trials," says Chopra.
Stress reactions among some jurors are similar to those experienced by individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, says Chopra, who also found that most jurors want to talk about stressful aspects of their experiences after the trial is over.
But in Canada, that isn't always legally possible. Section 649 of the Criminal Code limits jurors' post-trial discussion and prohibits discussion of jury deliberations, even after the trial is over. Chopra, part of a team of SFU psychology researchers studying juror stress, found that prohibiting jurors from talking about their trial experiences could be detrimental to their health. They are calling for a revision of section 649 to allow researchers to more fully study juror stress and develop solutions.
Besides having access to mental health professionals to diffuse stress, she says jurors would benefit from a more comprehensive pre-trial orientation.
Chopra, who completed a master's degree in litigation science at the University of Kansas, came to SFU to work with internationally known jury expert James Ogloff, who is now based in Australia. Their research provides a rare glimpse into juror stress in Canada.
Chopra recently joined the US based National Jury Project at the firm's Oakland office. She has been invited by one of the members of her thesis committee — BC Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith — to speak to the Lower Mainland legal community about juror stress. Her thesis is also being distributed in courtrooms at Smith's request to help educate those working in the system about the issue of juror stress.
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(digital photo available; Chopra is not attending convocation)
CONTACT
Sonia Chopra, 510.832.2583 (work), 510.540.5969 (home)
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323
Two-thirds of the 80 former criminal jurors interviewed had experienced stress as a result of their jury duty. More than 80 per cent believed that other jurors they had served with had also experienced stress.
Chopra, who has completed a PhD at SFU and graduates Oct. 3, says juror stress may impact jury decision-making. More than 60 per cent of interviewed jurors thought that stress had an effect on the thinking of some jurors. Seven of the top 10 stress inducing aspects of jury duty were related to the jury deliberations and reaching a verdict. "The research shows there is a critical need to find ways to reduce the level of stress faced by jurors both during and after trials," says Chopra.
Stress reactions among some jurors are similar to those experienced by individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, says Chopra, who also found that most jurors want to talk about stressful aspects of their experiences after the trial is over.
But in Canada, that isn't always legally possible. Section 649 of the Criminal Code limits jurors' post-trial discussion and prohibits discussion of jury deliberations, even after the trial is over. Chopra, part of a team of SFU psychology researchers studying juror stress, found that prohibiting jurors from talking about their trial experiences could be detrimental to their health. They are calling for a revision of section 649 to allow researchers to more fully study juror stress and develop solutions.
Besides having access to mental health professionals to diffuse stress, she says jurors would benefit from a more comprehensive pre-trial orientation.
Chopra, who completed a master's degree in litigation science at the University of Kansas, came to SFU to work with internationally known jury expert James Ogloff, who is now based in Australia. Their research provides a rare glimpse into juror stress in Canada.
Chopra recently joined the US based National Jury Project at the firm's Oakland office. She has been invited by one of the members of her thesis committee — BC Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith — to speak to the Lower Mainland legal community about juror stress. Her thesis is also being distributed in courtrooms at Smith's request to help educate those working in the system about the issue of juror stress.
—30—
(digital photo available; Chopra is not attending convocation)
CONTACT
Sonia Chopra, 510.832.2583 (work), 510.540.5969 (home)
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323