Juries decide less than 4% of criminal cases and less than 1% of civil cases. This phenomenon occurs despite the democratic role the jury was to play in the United States. Three amendments in the U.S. Constitution and numerous state constitutions and statutes provide rights to juries.
This Program has the mission to increase the number of jury trials in the U.S. and worldwide. Increasing judicial and lawyer interest in jury trials are among the Program’s goals. There are five main components: Legal Research, Public Education, Law Student Education, Legal Education, and Judicial Education. The Jury Program has been made possible by the generous donation of James Walker ’68 and his wife, Sharon Walker.
Director
Suja A. Thomas – Peer and Sarah Pedersen Professor of Law
Affiliated Faculty
Anthony Ghiotto – Teaching Associate Professor of Law, Director of the Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism, Director of Trial Advocacy
Student Opportunities
Coursework
Jury Short Course
Trial Advocacy
Upcoming Events
Inaugural Event – March 30, 2026 at 12 pm