Help End Racial Discrimination in Jury Selection
Support the Innocence Project in calling for reforms to end racially-biased jury selection.
For decades, prosecutors across the United States have used jury selection to exclude Black jurors, resulting in juries that do not reflect the racial demographics of the communities they serve. In 1986, the Supreme Court’s decision in Batson v. Kentucky was meant to end this practice by prohibiting attorneys from striking potential jurors based on race. But 40 years later, Batson has failed to fully protect against racial discrimination in jury selection. Courts continue to accept so-called “race-neutral” explanations for removing jurors, even when patterns show clear racial bias.
When a jury’s composition isn’t reflective of its community, the risk of wrongful convictions increases, especially in cases involving Black defendants and white victims. Research shows that Black jurors are still disproportionately excluded from jury service across the country, undermining the fairness and integrity of the legal system. Jury service is a fundamental civic duty, yet too often, Black Americans are denied this opportunity to participate in the justice system — and people on trial are denied the right to a truly impartial jury.
It’s time to strengthen protections against racial bias in jury selection. From limiting or eliminating peremptory strikes to adopting stronger standards for identifying discrimination, lawmakers and courts must take meaningful action. Add your name to call for reforms that will ensure juries reflect our communities and that justice is not shaped by bias.