Legal Case Review: A telecommuting opportunity

The venerable, superannuated legal profession is following suit as, the world grows increasingly comfortable with electronic transactions and internet initiated business agreements. Firms offering on-line case review and juror feedback has come into vogue and telecommuters can earn extra money as surrogate mock jurors.

Attorneys, while anticipating trials have done polling mock juries for years. Now due to advancing internet technology it can be done more efficiently at a much lower cost.

Attorneys and law firms contract with consulting firms who hire jurors on a per case basis. There will be work, when assigned cases for review become available, to the online jurists who live within the jurisdiction of the court.

A lawyer drafts his or her case submission and a set of questions. The online jurors read the documents, fill-in forms and answer the questions. This information assists the lawyer in determining common public attitudes; case themes, what will sell to a jury and which facts should and should not be emphasized.

A typical case will include documents outlining the facts from both the plaintiff and defendant’s perspective; these can be detailed and lengthy including charts, graphs and photographs. Also presented are questions prefaced by instructions and definitions of terms. The first set of questions will be tailored like actual questions that would be asked of a jury at trial. They include the juror’s interpretation of the facts presented as they are written.

The next set deal with personal feelings and expression and would not be asked of an actual jury. This kind of personal question might ask, “Is there anything you need further clarification on. Do these questions make sense to you? Why or why not?

Mock jurors are paid anywhere from $10 to $60 depending on the case and the consulting firm. Interested telecommuters can find out more at the companies website. Registration as a paid participant is also offered on those sites.

Sources used as reference: Websites of consulting firms

Ejury.com

OnlineVerdict.com

Trial Practice.com

Posted:Thursday, September 18, 2008