What Is A Trial Focus Group?

17 Jan What Is A Trial Focus Group?

A trial focus group is a type of research method that is used to gather information and feedback about a specific legal proceeding, or layman’s terms, a legal matter or case. The focus group is typically made up of a small, diverse group of people who are brought together to discuss and provide feedback on the legal matter. The group, commonly referred to as mock jurors or participants, is usually moderated by an attorney who guides the discussion and helps to ensure that all group members have an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions.

The primary benefit of trial focus groups is that they provide a way for trial attorneys to gather a wide range of perspectives and feedback in a relatively short amount of time. Because the mock jury is made up of a diverse group of individuals, trial attorneys can get a sense of how different segments of the population may react to case facts being presented at the time of trial. Additionally, because the group is moderated, the moderating attorney can help to ensure that the discussion stays on track and that all mock jurors are given an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions.

Trial focus groups are used at different points throughout cases – before attorneys agree to accept cases, all the way up to days prior trials begin – to gather feedback on potential case theories and ideas. This feedback can then be used to help shape and refine the attorneys’ arguments prior to being retained or going to trial.

One of the most important aspects of trial focus groups is the selection of participants. The group should be diverse and representative of the target demographic in the jurisdictions presiding over the cases. This is important because trial attorneys want to get a sense of how different segments of the population may react to the case or case theory. It’s also important to make sure that participants are not biased and have no personal interest in the case or theory being tested.

The discussion in a trial focus group is typically moderated by an attorney. The attorney’s role is to guide the discussion and help to ensure that all mock jurors have an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. The moderating attorney may also ask follow-up questions to help clarify participants’ responses.

During the discussion, participants are often asked a series of open-ended questions to elicit their thoughts and feelings about the case being presented. They may also be asked to complete a series of exercises or tasks designed to provide more information about how they view the specifics of each case.

Data from trial focus groups is typically analyzed qualitatively. This means that trial attorneys are looking for patterns and themes in the responses rather than quantifying the responses. This is because the trial focus group is meant to provide a qualitative understanding of participants’ thoughts and feelings, rather than quantifying their opinions.

Overall, trial focus groups are a valuable research tool that can provide valuable insights and feedback throughout all stages of cases. They can also be used to gather feedback on other aspects of a case, such as a trial opening or closing, or cross examination questions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that focus groups are not a perfect method and have some limitations, such as the small sample size, and that the results should be considered along with other forms of research to get a comprehensive understanding of how real jurors may react to a specific case.