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Trial by Jury: Does the American Jury System Bring About Justice?

November 14, 2022 

A trial by jury is extremely rare in the federal criminal justice system; in 2018, only 2% of federal criminal cases went to trial. This is the norm. But why?

Our panelists and audience members explored questions about the benefits and shortcomings of the system as it is today. They discussed and wrestled with this essential question: Does the American jury system bring about justice?

Panelists

Honorable William G. Young

Judge Young is a Senior United States District Judge. President Ronald Reagan nominated Judge Young to the Court in 1985 and he served as the Chief Judge from 1999-2005. Judge Young received his Bachelor’s and Law degrees from Harvard University. Judge Young assumed senior status in July of 2021.

Professor Dehlia Umunna

Umunna is a Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. In addition, Umunna is the Faculty Deputy Director of the law school’s Criminal Justice Institute where she works with third-year law students in their representation of clients in criminal and juvenile proceedings in Massachusetts Courts, including the Supreme Judicial Court. Umunna also coaches the HLS National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy and the HLS Black Law Student Association Trial Teams. Before working at Harvard, Umunna was a trial attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia.

Miriam Conrad

For more than 15 years, Conrad was the Chief Federal Public Defender in Massachusetts. Before getting her law degree, Conrad received a degree in Journalism at Northwestern University. She later went on to get her law degree at Harvard Law School in 1987. After her clerkship with a federal judge, Conrad was a Massachusetts state public defender at the Committee for Public Counsel Services from 1988 to 1992. Conrad then joined the Federal Public Defender Office in Massachusetts in 1992.

Dustin Chao

Chao currently serves as the Chief of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts’ Public Corruption Unit. Upon graduating law school, he began his legal career practicing corporate law in New York and then overseas. In 2001, he joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and worked as an Assistant District Attorney. In 2007, he joined the Newark U.S. Attorney’s Office before moving to Boston for his current position.

Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.