Jury selection is set to commence on Monday in the highly-anticipated criminal trial of a former US president. The case revolves around 34 charges of business fraud related to allegations that the ex-president instructed staff to classify hush money payments as legitimate expenses. The trial will take place in Manhattan, and experts predict that the jury pool will consist of left-leaning individuals who are affluent and well-educated.

According to Steve Duffy, an expert in trial behavior consulting, the demographics of Manhattan suggest that the jury is likely to lean left ideologically and possess higher levels of education and wealth compared to the larger population. Duffy emphasizes that jury systems differ across jurisdictions, with judges having significant discretion in executing the selection process.

The prospective jurors will receive a summons either in person or by phone, and as it is a high-profile case, several hundred jurors may be called to account for potential bias issues. After reporting to the courthouse, the jurors will wait in the jury room until called into the courtroom. There, the judge will inform them about the trial's rules.

During the selection process, jurors will be asked about their ability to serve for the duration of the trial, addressing any hardships that may prevent them from fulfilling their duty. Reasons such as being a student or a caregiver for dependents may result in excusal. Economic hardships, such as the inability to miss work without suffering financial setbacks, may also be considered.

Importantly, jurors will be questioned regarding bias and their ability to remain fair and impartial. Duffy notes that judges have varying interpretations of bias, but anyone judged to exhibit a belief that may compromise their fairness would likely be excused. Given the case's high profile, individuals who hold strong pro- or anti-Trump sentiments are expected to fall under this category.

Prospective jurors who pass this stage will be required to fill out a questionnaire covering personal information and case-related questions. In this hush money case, the questionnaire includes 42 questions, including political affiliations and potential memberships in groups like the Proud Boys, QAnon, or Antifa. Both sides agreed upon these questions, with the judge making the final edits.

After completing the questionnaire, most jurors will be sent home for the day to allow lawyers to review their responses. Alternatively, some courts may conduct immediate questioning. The questioning can take place either with jurors in the traditional juror's box or with all jurors seated in the gallery, Texas-style, which is considered more efficient.

As the questioning proceeds, jurors may be dismissed or replaced, with judges having differing approaches and some imposing time limits. Each party can also argue for-cause challenges, requesting the removal of jurors due to potential bias. Ultimately, peremptory strikes allow each side to remove individuals without stating a reason, provided it is not based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or nationality.

The jury selection process aims to eliminate potential jurors until a sufficient number remains to form a jury. Striking people from the jury can lead to legal maneuvering and arguments over the legitimacy of the reasons behind those decisions. Once the panel is accepted by both parties, the jurors are sworn in, and alternates may be selected in case of illness or inability to serve during the trial.

Given the demographics of Manhattan, the jury pool is expected to consist predominantly of left-leaning and affluent individuals. Consequently, the judge is unlikely to dismiss prospective jurors based solely on prior knowledge of the case. The prosecution may seek to strike Trump supporters, while the defense may attempt to remove left-leaning individuals, though this will be challenging in a district where President Joe Biden received overwhelming support.

The jury selection process is expected to be lengthy due to the case's high publicity and the strong opinions surrounding it. Multiple rounds of jurors may be required, and the entire process could take days or even weeks, depending on the judge's pace.

As the trial unfolds in the coming weeks, the selected jury will play a critical role in determining the outcome of this landmark case against a former US president.