Dear Congregants,
Yesterday, I spent the morning watching jury selection in the Federal Courthouse. I wanted to give you some information to help you understand the process.
I entered the Courthouse through the main doors on Grant Street and was greeted by the security personnel. You are not permitted to carry any electronic devices including smart watches into the courthouse. I left everything in my truck other than some change and my truck keys. The security was very thorough and the staff was friendly and professional. The staff guided me up to the correct floor. The courthouse is a large building and the room being used was at the far end of the hall, essentially the end of the block.
When I got to the correct courtroom, I was met with a second security screening. The second screening was actually more thorough than the first; however, the staff was also friendly and professional. I was asked to wait in the lobby area while the Judge conferenced with the attorneys.
When I was permitted to enter the courtroom, it looked like most courtrooms you would see on a TV show. As I walked in there were spectator seats on each side of the center aisle. They are wooden bench seats with padding only on the seat area. The front of the room had the Judge's bench area raised above the room with a full length table just in front of it where his staff sat. In front of the spectator seats are the attorney tables. Today, the prosecution sat on the right side and the defense sat on the left. Each side had seven attorneys. In the front of the room on the right side was the Jury box, also raised above the rest of the seating.
The Judge began by ruling on some motions both sides made regarding the previous day’s questioning. The Judge then changed into his robe and ten prospective jurors were led into the courtroom. The Judge gave the jurors instructions on how the questioning would proceed and then they were led to the jury room. One by one the jurors came back to the courtroom where they were questioned first by the Judge and then both sets of attorneys. The questions were based on the answers the prospective jurors wrote on their initial questionnaire. Each round of questioning lasted between 30 and 45 minutes. After all ten prospective jurors were questioned, the Judge offered a 15 minute lunch break. I had to leave to go back to work.
I thought the process was very thorough and the Judge handled the motions and objections professionally. They are still expecting this part of the process to last at least three weeks.
If anyone is interested in attending jury selection remember the building is large and there is a good bit of walking. You do not need to wait until lunch to leave. There is no parking close to the courthouse. The following documents contain additional information:
Trial Logistics
Court Room Decorum Order
Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
Alan Hausman
President, Tree of Life Congregation
