Maryland Jury Reforms and Pilot Program For Expanded Voir Dire
Courts across the country are considering and implementing reforms designed to improve fairness and reduce bias in the jury selection process. The Maryland Judiciary is implementing a Pilot Program for Expanded Voir Dire in 2025 as part of an overall review and reform of the jury selection process.
MSBA serves on the Judiciary’s Pilot Program Advisory Committee and is supporting its work through updates to MSBA’s Model Voir Dire Questions, member education, and feedback. Please check this page regularly as MSBA will share updates on the Pilot Program and additional reforms here.
MSBA’s Updated Model Voir Dire Questions
MSBA’s Special Committee on Voir Dire is updating model voir dire questions in response to a request from the Maryland Judiciary’s Pilot Program Advisory Board. The questions are not intended to be exhaustive, exclusive or compulsory. Rather, they are designed to assist those participating in the Pilot Program to implement the use of expanded voir dire.
MSBA’s Special Committee on Voir Dire will remain active during the Pilot Program and will continue to provide updated versions of questions here.
Maryland Judiciary Resources
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Review the Maryland Attorney Packet for instructions to attorneys with cases in the Pilot Program.
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The Supreme Court of Maryland’s September 13, 2024 Order created Rule 16-310, establishing the Pilot Program for Expanded Voir Dire.
- Maryland’s Pilot Program for Voir Dire has been extended to run through December 2025. Participating pilot judges may use expanded voir dire during the jury selection process.
MSBA Programs