Expanded Voir Dire Pilot Program

Maryland's Expanded Voir Dire Pilot Program

The Expanded Voir Dire Pilot Program, implemented under Rule 16-310, represents a significant step in Maryland's effort to improve jury selection. Running from January 1, 2025 through the extended deadline of December 31, 2025, this pilot program will study the impact of expanded voir dire techniques on jury selection effectiveness, case management, and public perception of the trial process. Data from the pilot program will guide potential updates to Maryland Rules 2-512 and 4-312.

Key Goals of the Pilot Program:

• Assess how expanded voir dire affects trial efficiency and jury satisfaction
• Develop educational resources to standardize expanded voir dire procedures statewide
• Provide the Maryland Supreme Court and the Rules Committee with insights for possible rule amendments
   

Pilot Jurisdictions:

The program spans several jurisdictions, including Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Montgomery, and Worcester Counties. If you have a case in any of these jurisdictions during the pilot program timeframe, MAJ encourages you to familiarize yourself with the Maryland Judiciary's comprehensive overview of the Expanded Voir Dire Pilot Program, including jurisdictions, participating judges, and specific techniques.

Attorneys with a case in the pilot program jurisdictions can fill out this survey to contribute to the data collection: mdcourts.gov/attorneysurvey.

Moving Forward:

As this program progresses, regular stakeholder meetings will refine the process and gather feedback. We strongly encourage everyone involved to actively participate, provide feedback, and explore how expanded voir dire can improve jury selection in Maryland. Please check this page regularly for updates and additional resources.

Voir Dire Coalition Co-Chairs:

Patrice Meredith Clarke
Iliff, Meredith, Wildberger & Brennan, P.C.
patrice@ilimer.com
(410) 685-1166

David A. Harak
The Harak Law Firm, LLC
david@haraklaw.com
(410) 347-1272

Additional Resources:

Maryland Judiciary's Expanded Voir Dire Pilot Program Attorney Packet

MSBA Model Voir Dire Updated for Maryland's Pilot Program for Expanded Voir Dire

MSBA Resources to Prepare for Maryland's Pilot Program for Expanded Voir Dire

Rule 16-310 Pilot Program for Expanded Voir Dire on WestLaw

David Harak's article, originally published in Trial Reporter, Fall 2023, "Fixing Maryland's Current System of Judicially Imposed 'limited voir dire' is Necessary to Protect the Constitutional Right to a Fair Jury"
 

Example Videos:
Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire Clip 4552 from NJCourts

How to Conduct a Voir Dire? How to Question Potential Jurors? Red Flags from Beverly Hills Bar Association