Criminal Matters
Magnus has extensive experience offering trial consulting services in a wide range of criminal cases, spanning both federal and state jurisdictions for both the defense and prosecution. These services encompass jury focus group research, mock trial analysis, and voir dire consultation. Many of the cases Magnus has been involved in have garnered significant media attention due to their high-profile nature, often involving sensational events. Magnus has also provided support in addressing white-collar crimes, particularly those involving intricate financial matters. Given the profound implications of criminal proceedings, it becomes imperative to undertake jury focus group and mock trial research to gain insights into how potential jurors may react to the case's factual details. Crafting an effective message is of paramount importance when matters of life, liberty, and justice hang in the balance.
Magnus' involvement in criminal cases encompasses a range of jury research services, such as Case Strength Evaluation Research/Mock Trials and exploratory Jury Focus Group research. Further services include assistance with developing voir dire questions, offering consultation during the voir dire process, and evaluating and preparing witnesses.
Services Available for Criminal Matters:
Case Strength Evaluation Research
Case Strength Evaluation Research (CSER) is Magnus’ proprietary, condensed mock trial method. CSER serves to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case and is the primary research methodology employed by Magnus. Typically, adversarial presentations are made on behalf of both the prosecution and the defendant(s) to groups of mock jurors during CSER-formatted mock trials. After jury deliberations, the trial consultant conducts interviews with the mock jurors to gauge their impressions. Quantitative and qualitative methods, including surveys, are employed during CSER research. One of the notable advantages of CSER is its adaptability, making it suitable for a wide range of mock trial requirements.
Mock Trial Research
A Magnus Mock Trial is a comprehensive qualitative method for evaluating cases involving juries. It allows for in-depth presentations of both prosecution and defense cases, incorporating live or pre-recorded witness testimonies. Mock Trials span multiple days, with the duration dependent on case complexity and other factors. Participants, acting as mock jurors, respond to surveys at various intervals, including assessments of presented witnesses. Deliberations and post-verdict interviews are key components of Mock Trials, mirroring their role in Case Strength Evaluation Research. Designing a mock trial involves intensive early collaboration between the trial consultant and the attorney.
Community Attitude Survey
Community Attitude Surveys come into play when cases involve high-profile issues, unique case elements, the desire for juror profiling, or support for a change of venue motion. These surveys are conducted via telephone interviews with potential jurors in the trial venue. The trial consultant, working closely with the trial team, reviews the case and designs the survey questions before data collection commences. Subsequently, the trial consultant conducts statistical analysis on the collected data and reports the findings to the trial team.
Case Analysis Survey
A Case Analysis Survey (CAS) is an in-depth Jury Focus Group used to understand participants’ (typically jurors) attitudes and perceptions regarding critical case issues. The CAS dissects key case elements systematically, addressing decision-makers’ informational needs. It involves presenting the case information neutrally by the lead attorney, with the trial consultant moderating discussions and interviewing participants on each issue. Surveys are employed to extract individual-level data about each aspect, which is later analyzed along with the discussion results, culminating in an extensive written CAS report. The CAS helps in early identification of case strengths and weaknesses, especially valuable in complex white-collar crime cases where numerous issues are at play. Mock jury trial research is typically conducted following the CAS to potential verdict outcomes.
Jury Focus Group Research
Jury Focus Group research entails discussions about pertinent case issues to gauge jury-eligible residents’ reactions in the trial venue. This process explores the human dynamics involved in the case and is characterized by informal discussions between the attorney, trial consultant, and research participants. Simple surveys capture individual responses to select case issues, which the trial consultant employs in preparing a written report for the attorney. The structure and duration of a Jury Focus Group Research session vary depending on the issues being evaluated, offering a more straightforward approach compared to the Case Analysis Survey. Typically, some form of mock trial research follows a Jury Focus Group Research session, often involving Magnus’ Case Strength Evaluation Research.
Case Issue Consultation - General
Magnus’ Trial Consultants offer insights to litigators for evaluating critical case issues. Case Issue Consultation involves document review and brainstorming conferences with the attorney and trial consultant.
Verdict Perception™ (Online)
Verdict Perception™ is Magnus’ proprietary online research methodology used to assess liability and damages through online mock trials. It can be customized based on the specific case details. This methodology involves online deliberation groups, typically with up to 8 participants per group, who view case presentations, including pre-recorded elements and exhibits. Mock jurors answer survey questions and deliberate, with their interactions recorded for analysis and client review. Verdict Perception™ is conducted with jury-eligible citizens from the trial venue. Magnus’ Trial Consultants prepare detailed reports based on the research results, acknowledging that online research has specific limitations compared to live mock jury research, which are discussed with the trial team.
Issue Perception™ (Online)
Issue Perception™ is Magnus’ online jury focus group research methodology designed to explore individual and group responses to case issues. It offers two approaches: one gathers individual survey responses based on written or pre-recorded case information, while the other assembles respondents into an online jury focus group discussion. Multiple panels can be employed as needed, with proceedings recorded for analysis and client review. This research methodology also utilizes jury-eligible citizens from the trial venue, with reports prepared based on the research results.
Silhouette Jury Panel
Silhouette Jury Panels, sometimes referred to as “shadow juries,” provide day-to-day analysis of trial progress. These jurors are selected to closely resemble actual jurors and observe the trial alongside them, forming their opinions on the evidence. Daily feedback from the trial consultant enables the attorney to refine their case strategy for the best possible outcome. Additionally, when real jurors are permitted to ask questions, Magnus evaluates the nature and underlying issues raised by these questions. Silhouette Jury Panels are commonly used when pre-trial research, such as a mock trial, has been conducted to facilitate a comparison of reactions between mock jurors and actual jurors.
Trial Progress Evaluation
Similar to Silhouette Jury Panels, Trial Progress Evaluation involves daily analysis of the trial by a Magnus Research Associate or Trial Consultant instead of Silhouette Jury panel members.
Post Verdict Interviews
Post Verdict Interviews, when permitted by the Court, offer valuable insights to the trial team. These interviews reveal how the actual jury arrived at their decision, a crucial resource for retrying cases that have been lost, mistried, overturned on appeal, or when a series of related cases is being tried. A trial consultant conducts these interviews and reports the jurors’ responses to the trial team.
and are registered trademarks of Magnus Research Consultants, Inc. Magnus provides Trial Consulting or Jury Consulting services for attorneys and litigants in civil lawsuits and criminal litigation. Magnus’ trial consultant services include mock trials, focus groups, online mock trials, online focus groups, online research, virtual mock jury, attitude surveys, witness preparation, jury selection/voir dire consultation, demonstrative evidence, animations, and trial presentation services. Jury research, mediations, mock bench trials, mock mediations, and mock arbitrations assist litigators and their clients by providing risk analysis for cases and evaluating case strategy options to maximize trial outcomes. Magnus is a Florida-based trial consulting firm (working in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, etc.), providing services nationwide.