How to Join a Community Attitude Survey (and What to Expect)

What Is a Community Attitude Survey?

Trial consultants and lawyers utilize a community attitude poll as a research tool to learn more about how the public views particular aspects of a case. The purpose of these surveys is to gauge prejudice, attitudes, and opinions among those who are eligible to serve on juries.

These surveys assist legal teams in making well-informed decisions, rather than concentrating on municipal planning or public policy. The information collected is frequently used either prior to or instead of a mock trial, giving lawyers the opportunity to test case themes, investigate probable juror reactions to the facts, and pinpoint delicate topics that can influence decisions.

Views on businesses, government agencies, law enforcement, societal issues, and overall confidence in the legal system are a few examples of survey themes.

Who Can Participate?

A community attitude survey may be open to anyone who is eligible for jury duty in a particular jurisdiction. No prior legal experience or specialized knowledge is required. In actuality, consultants seek out genuine, truthful viewpoints from a variety of community members.

Typically, eligibility is determined by your age, where you live, and if you reside in a particular county or judicial district. Participants are frequently chosen to represent a range of demographics that would be represented on a prospective jury. Nelson Recruiting ensures that the participants in each study are a good fit for the case’s legal objectives.

Your thoughts are particularly helpful in assisting attorneys in understanding all points of view if you belong to a minority that is frequently underrepresented in conventional surveys.

How to Join a Survey with Nelson Recruiting

Getting started is easy. Here’s how it typically works when you sign up through Nelson Recruiting:

• Join our database: Sign up on our website to be added to our database of participants. You’ll be asked to fill out a basic profile with information such as your age, location, and household makeup.
• Watch for invitations: When a community attitude survey becomes available in your area, or when your profile matches a target group, you’ll receive an email or phone call inviting you to take part.
• Complete a short screener: Most studies begin with a quick survey to confirm that you meet the qualifications. This helps researchers ensure the survey reaches the right participants.
• Participate and share your voice: If selected, you’ll be sent a secure link to take the survey online, or given instructions for a phone or in-person format if applicable.
• Receive compensation: Surveys include a small incentive for your time. We’ll let you know the amount and how to receive it.

That’s it. No special experience is required, and you’ll always be informed about the topic and time commitment before agreeing to participate.

What Kind of Questions Will You Be Asked?

The questions vary depending on the case, but here are a few examples of the types of topics covered:

• How much do you trust pharmaceutical companies?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “lawsuit”?
• Do you believe class-action suits are usually helpful or exploitative?
• How fair do you believe the legal system is in general?

Some questions might involve short answers, while others may ask you to rate your agreement or select from a list of options. Follow-up questions may be included to explore your reasoning in more depth.

There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is simply to gather honest opinions that reflect community sentiment.

Why It Matters

How effectively lawyers comprehend juror sentiments prior to entering the courtroom can have a significant impact on the result of a trial. Legal teams can improve their arguments, assess case risks, and even determine whether a case is worthwhile by using community attitude surveys.

Your answers are assessed as part of an anonymised group and are kept private. This makes it easier for consultants to spot patterns in the data without linking them to particular people.

By taking part, you’re contributing insightful information that promotes justice in the court system. Your contribution makes a significant difference, whether you’re drawing attention to an issue or validating a commonly held opinion.

What to Expect After You Participate

You’re done once you’ve finished the community sentiment survey. We will keep you in mind for any upcoming opportunities that fit your profile if you have joined the Nelson Recruiting panel.

Additionally, some participants are asked to participate in follow-up studies such as interviews, mock juries, or online focus groups. You will have more opportunities the more you participate.

In the end, your viewpoint aids lawyers in comprehending the members of juries, which improves the efficiency of the legal system.