UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
JUDGE LIN’S STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL
QUESTIONS FOR JUROR QUESTIONNAIRES
The Standard Juror Questionnaire is available under the Standing Orders portion of Judge
Lin’s webpage. As explained in the Court’s Standing Orders, the parties and the Court can
include a maximum of ten supplemental questions on the questionnaire.
Criminal Trials
In criminal cases, Judge Lin commonly includes the following questions on the
supplemental questionnaire, absent an objection from the parties:
1. Do you have any especially strong opinions or beliefs about race, immigration status,
national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation that could affect your
ability to serve as a fair and impartial juror? Yes ___ No ___. If yes, please explain:
2. Is there anything else about your experiences, opinions, or beliefs, whether religious,
moral, ethical, or philosophical, that could affect your ability to serve as a juror? Yes ___
No ___. If yes, please explain:
3. In a criminal trial, the government has accused a person of committing a crime, but that
person has denied committing the crime. The law requires you to presume that the
defendant is innocent, and you may not convict the defendant unless the government has
proved that the defendant is guilty of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge
will provide you with instructions about the “reasonable doubt” standard later, but if the
government doesn’t meet its burden under that standard, the jury may not convict the
defendant, even if the defendant presents no evidence or witnesses. Do you have any
concerns about presuming the defendant innocent and holding the government to its
burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt? Yes ___ No ___. If yes, please
explain:
4. It is the judge’s job, not the jury’s, to determine punishment. The law does not permit you
to consider the issue of punishment because there are factors—factors having nothing to
do with this trial—that will determine the appropriate sentence in the event you find the
defendant guilty. Do you have any concerns about deciding this case without regard to
potential punishment? Yes ___ No ___. If yes, please explain:
5. The trial likely will begin on [date] and should be done by [date]. The trial will be held
every weekday except Tuesdays. The trial day will likely begin at 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. and
end between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m., with two fifteen-minute breaks. Do you have any
serious issues that prevent you from serving as a juror in this case (such as medical or
public health concerns, prepaid travel plans, financial concerns, or family
responsibilities)? Keep in mind that if you are unable to serve for this trial, you could be
placed on another, longer trial in the coming months.
Yes___ No___. If yes, please explain:
Civil Trials
In civil cases, Judge Lin commonly includes the following questions on the supplemental
questionnaire, absent an objection from the parties:
1. This is a civil lawsuit about a dispute involving [general topic of the case (e.g., “allegedly
defective tires” or “alleged employment discrimination”)]. Do you have any experiences
or strong opinions that could affect your ability to serve as a juror in a case like this? Yes
___ No ___. If yes, please explain:
2. Do you have any especially strong opinions or beliefs about race, immigration status,
national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation that could affect your
ability to serve as a fair and impartial juror? Yes ___ No ___. If yes, please explain:
3. The trial likely will begin on [date] and should be done by [date]. The trial will be held
every weekday except Tuesdays. The trial day will likely begin at 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. and
end between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m., with two fifteen-minute breaks. Do you have any serious
issues that prevent you from serving as a juror in this case (such as medical or public
health concerns, prepaid travel plans, financial concerns, or family responsibilities)?
Keep in mind that if you are unable to serve for this trial, you could be placed on another,
longer trial in the coming months.
Yes___ No___. If yes, please explain:
