How Jury Trends Differ Between Urban and Rural Minnesota Counties

The majority of personal injury cases in Minnesota are settled outside of the courtroom. When there are complex disputes between the parties involved, or the liable party or insurance company refuses to act in good faith, a case may proceed to trial before a jury. The jurors play a critical role in the outcome, ultimately determining liability and damages based on the facts, subject to the court’s legal oversight.

There are many factors that will impact jury selection, including the jurisdiction in which your case is heard. Urban juries are vastly different from rural juries, and this can affect the legal strategy used in your case. Below, we outline key differences between urban and rural juries.

Demographic differences between urban and rural juries

Rural and urban communities in Minnesota have very different demographics. The majority of Minnesota residents live in urban counties, which are becoming more diverse. Rural counties are still predominantly Caucasian and are made up of aging populations. These differences can significantly impact how jurors reach decisions in urban and rural counties. Some of the biggest differences, and their impact on personal injury cases, are as follows:

• Cost of living and income: Individuals living in urban counties often have higher incomes. As such, they also often have higher living standards and expenses. This can sometimes result in higher awards for damages, although any award must be based on the evidence presented and applicable law. However, rural areas may have a lower cost of living, which may result in lower damages for plaintiffs.
• Age of urban and rural juries: Accident victims, as well as potential jurors, in rural areas tend to be older. This can affect perceptions of the severity of the injuries suffered during an accident.
• Experience with accidents and injuries: Rural areas tend to have roads with higher speed limits than in urban centers. Jurors in rural areas may have more experience with severe injuries due to this factor. Additionally, rural jurors may also have greater experience with certain types of accidents, such as agricultural incidents or ATV crashes, than urban jurors.

Differences in beliefs and attitudes between urban and rural juries

Jurors in urban and rural Minnesota counties often have different lifestyles and, therefore, different beliefs and attitudes. This can also have many impacts on jury pools. The main differences in attitudes and beliefs are as follows:

• Ties to the community: Rural counties are often tight-knit communities, and so potential jurors may be more likely to know parties or witnesses, which can become an issue during jury selection.
• Perception of lawsuits: Rural jurors have a reputation for being more skeptical of personal injury lawsuits. They may view them as an unnecessary strain on resources. Urban jurors are considered to be more open to the personal injury lawsuit process. All of these factors can vary person-to-person, however.
• Comfort level with high-stakes lawsuits: Just as urban jurors are more open to the concept of personal injury lawsuits, they are generally also more comfortable with high-stakes lawsuits. Urban jurors also tend to be more comfortable handling complex product liability or medical malpractice cases.
• Accountability for defendants: Rural jurors may be more sympathetic to local providers and businesses within their own community. Urban jurors, however, may be more likely to question corporate defendants and large hospital systems.

What impact do these differences have on personal injury lawsuits?

The differences between rural and urban juries have many impacts on personal injury lawsuits. Urban juries, such as those in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, have a reputation for being more plaintiff-friendly than rural juries. While this alone won’t determine the outcome of your claim, it may sometimes lead to urban juries awarding higher amounts of damages. While jury tendencies may vary, punitive damages in Minnesota are only awarded when the statutory standard—deliberate disregard for safety—is met.

Rural juries may, in some cases, be more receptive to comparative fault arguments, though Minnesota law applies the same comparative fault standard in all courts. Accident victims in rural settings may also be more willing to accept a settlement due to the unpredictable nature of juries in these locations.

How will injury lawyers adjust their legal strategy for urban and rural juries?

Again, the demographics, attitudes, and beliefs of jurors in rural and urban settings differ greatly from each other. Injury lawyers are aware of these differences and will adjust their legal strategy based on the jurisdiction.

In any personal injury lawsuit that goes to trial, an injury lawyer will enter jury selection, legally known as voir dire. When questioning potential jurors, a lawyer will identify possible biases based on background and life experience, consistent with constitutional limits on juror selection. In urban jurisdictions, an injury lawyer may focus on ensuring the jury is diverse, while in rural settings, they may place more emphasis on strong community ties and values.

In urban counties, attorneys may also focus on corporate responsibility, community harm, and social justice. Legal strategies often showcase how the facts of the lawsuit impact the community at large rather than the individuals involved. These themes tend to be more effective with urban juries that are typically younger and more diverse. In rural counties, attorneys typically focus on themes of common sense, accountability, and personal responsibility rather than subtle legal technicalities.

Lastly, an injury lawyer will also know how to present evidence to urban and rural juries. Due to the younger nature of urban juries, engaging presentations that are visual, concise, and high-tech often resonate more than a simple narrative. When arguing to rural juries, injury lawyers take a different approach, using language that is conversational rather than overly technical.

Our injury lawyers in Minnesota can provide the legal advice you need

If your personal injury case goes to trial, it is likely going to be more complex, and there are many factors to consider. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, our Minnesota injury lawyers can help you prepare for trial, adjust legal strategy as needed, and protect your rights and best interests at all times. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys and to get the legal advice you need.