Episode 48: Decoding Voir Dire Part 4 | The Jury Selection Series

Peremptory strikes look simple on paper. In practice, they are among the most strategic and controversial aspects of jury selection.

In Part 4 of the Decoding Voir Dire series, Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi break down how peremptories actually work, why Batson challenges matter, and how bias, intuition, math, and psychology collide in real time. They talk through when peremptories protect access to fair juries, when they cross the line, and why stereotypes are both unavoidable and dangerous if you rely on them too much.

This episode digs into tactical counting, protected classes, juror psychology, and the uncomfortable truth that jurors often surprise you for better or worse. If you have ever thought jury selection was mechanical, this conversation quickly disabuses you of that idea.

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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer.

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