Judge Juan Merchan recently unveiled the questionnaire that potential jurors in court will be required to complete. This questionnaire includes a series of questions that could potentially reveal the political leanings of the individuals being considered for the jury.
The jury selection process aims to choose a panel of 12 New Yorkers along with six alternates who will ultimately determine the fate of Donald Trump in court.
Some of the key topics covered in the questionnaire include:
- News consumption habits
- Affiliations with groups such as the Proud Boys, QAnon, and Antifa
- Attendance at Trump rallies or anti-Trump events by the prospective jurors or individuals in their social circles
- Exposure to materials from Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and a crucial witness for the district attorney, as well as Trump's own books
- Opinions on whether a former president can face charges in state court and perceptions of how Trump is being treated in the case
These questions serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they allow the judge to dismiss jurors who may not be able to impartially render a verdict. Additionally, both legal teams can use the responses to strike potential jurors from the selection process for various reasons, a critical aspect of jury selection.
