A Dallas Morning News investigation documents the degree to which it’s been second nature to lawyers on both sides in Texas criminal trials to exclude on the basis of race. Among highlights: the unique “Texas shuffle” technique used to give lawyers an advance peek at the race of prospective panelists; and the taxpayer-funded database that allows prosecutors to identify persons who have previously served on juries in cases which ended in acquittals, so as to keep those persons off future panels. (“Striking differences”, 2005 series (reg))(via Mike Cernovich).

Filed under: crime and punishment, jury selection, Texas