Jury selection for Chauvin trial will take weeks, involve complicated questioning process

Right now, jury selection for the Derek Chauvin trial is set to begin Tuesday morning

There are a number of factors that make this process different from any other case.

Jury selection is scheduled to take three weeks, which is an unusually long amount of time. Legal experts say that’s because it’s important that attorneys on both sides really get to know each potential juror.

"What’s unique about this case is the focus on jurors’ fears, their knowledge and consumption of the media," said Rachel Paulose, former U.S. Attorney and law professor at the University of St. Thomas.

Here’s what happened in Day One of the Derek Chauvin trial

Paulose says attorneys for both sides are looking for clues about possible biases, like how jurors feel about police and systemic racism.

Each potential juror answered a 16-page questionnaire in advance that delves into everything from their jobs, their marital status, how often they watch the news and whether or not they have ever been a victim of crime.

"One thing about jury selection is that it’s an art and not a science," said Mark Osler, law professor at the University of St. Thomas.

"Who is on your jury is like picking your judge because they will be the judge of facts," he said.