PRESS RELEASE: Supporting the Expansion of Current Voir Dire Process

March 4, 2024 — The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland (APABA-MD)* is writing in support of SB 827 and HB 1079 in hopes of further advocating for equity and impartiality within the judicial process. Since our establishment as a non-profit organization in 2002, APABA-MD’s goals have included promoting the quality of legal service to the Asian Pacific American community, monitoring legislative, judicial, and administrative actions that may significantly impact the Asian Pacific American community, and strengthening equal opportunities to ensure equal participation and treatment to eliminate prejudice against Asian Pacific Americans.  

We write in support of expanding the current voir dire process. Maryland’s existing system of limited voir dire relies on jurors to self-assess their own biases and provides limited demographic information about potential jurors. By enacting the expansion of voir dire as a part of the juror selection process, attorneys will receive additional information to assess whether potential jurors have any bias or prejudice that could prevent a juror’s ability to render a fair and impartial verdict. Ensuring that everyone has a right to a fair and impartial trial by jury free from bias is a prominent interest to APABA-MD, and the expansion of voir dire will further that interest.

*Members of the Maryland Judiciary abstained from participating in the decision-making process authorizing this statement by APABA-MD.