Mock trials are the most commonly done type of jury research. As the name implies, mock trials pit summaries of the plaintiff and defense cases against each other in order to test case themes, issues, arguments, key evidence and sometimes testimony clips.
Mock trials use a carefully structured adversarial format in which surrogate jurors view argumentative summaries of plaintiff and defendant positions.
Typically, the impact of graphics and tutorials are tested.
After viewing the case summaries surrogate jurors are divided into evenly matched jury panels and then deliberate to verdict.
Twenty-four surrogate jurors usually participate. However, groups of thirty-six, forty-eight or even more may be used.
Most mock trials are completed in a single seven to ten hour day. For complex cases, exercises of one and a half or two days may be undertaken.