64. Breaking the Ice: Voir Dire Tips and Tactics, with Judge Cynthia McCollum Artwork

May the Record Reflect

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May the Record Reflect

64. Breaking the Ice: Voir Dire Tips and Tactics, with Judge Cynthia McCollum

March 18, 2025 • National Institute for Trial Advocacy • Episode 64

As a sitting district court judge and 29-year public defender, NITA Program Director Judge Cynthia McCollum knows a thing or two about jury selection, and in this episode, she opens up about how to get your jurors to open up. She serves up a baker’s dozen of her best tips for getting jurors to talk during voir dire, mistakes she learned from as a public defender, what to know about Batson challenges, and anecdotes about her career trajectory before and on the bench.

Topics
3:50 First tip for getting jurors to open up during voir dire
4:47 Second tip
5:45 Judge’s first time in court as a new lawyer
9:48. Third tip
14:24 Fourth tip
18:33 Fifth tip
20:08 Being a public defender, then a judge
24:42 Sixth tip
26:39. Seventh tip
29:28 What it’s like to be a judge
31:48 Eighth tip
33:09 Ninth tip
38:25 Tenth tip
41:31 NITA involvement
45:06 Eleventh tip
48:35 Twelfth tip
50:32 Baker’s dozen tip about Batson
52:39 Signoff questions

Quote
“Everyone needs to work on their jury selection. It’s not a natural for a lot of people, because you get nervous about asking those tough questions.” Judge Cynthia McCollum

Resources
Judge Cynthia McCollum (bio)
Batson bonuses (file)
Minnesota Deposition Skills and Trial Skills (programs)