Valerie Hans
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jurygirl.bsky.social
Valerie Hans
@jurygirl.bsky.social

Cornell Law School professor working on torts, psychology & law, jury decision-making. Fan of Eagles, Steelers & Niners, which makes some games difficult.

Valerie Hans is an American legal scholar and psychologist. She is the Charles F. Rechlin Professor of Law at Cornell Law School and has been the editor of the Annual Review of Law and Social Science. Trained as a social scientist, her major areas of study are the jury system, jury reform, and the application of social science to law. .. more

Law 64%
Economics 12%

Good background on the climate science chapter that was removed from the federal Judicial Center manual of scientific evidence for judges:

Climate Change Is Erased From a Manual for Federal Judges www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/c...
Climate Change Is Erased From a Manual for Federal Judges
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Valerie P. Hans

For years I've argued that the "ham sandwich" critique is wrong and that the discipline of having to go through the grand jury to obtain an indictment still acts as an important check on prosecutorial power. Grand juries under the Trump regime continue to prove it.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress
www.nytimes.com

Thank you members of the grand jury!!

Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress
www.nytimes.com

It was a new chapter, designed to help judges with the background science that is helpful in understanding climate litigation. That's what's so unfortunate about the removal.

The Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence has long been an excellent, balanced resource for judges. So now: Let's keep information about science from judges? What an outrageous and counterproductive idea!
NEW: A newly updated reference manual for U.S. judges that provides answers to scientific and technical questions has eliminated some 90 pages about climate science.

It comes as numerous climate cases make their way through state and federal courts.
Under GOP Pressure, Federal Agency Pulls Climate Change Chapter From Official Manual for U.S. Judges
The “Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence” — updated for the first time in 15 years — eliminates some 90 pages about climate science and comes just as numerous climate cases make their way through ...
www.propublica.org

Monday's exhortation to big law to work on immigration cases; she explains that's a way to redeem themselves from appeasement. Thanks Rachel!

Reposted by Valerie P. Hans

Long live the grand jury.
Today, it was a grand jury of anonymous American citizens who upheld the rule of law and determined this case should not proceed. Hopefully, this ends this politicized investigation for good.
Apparently you are allowed to remind troops to follow lawful orders: www.ms.now/news/grand-j...
Grand jury rejects sedition charges against Democratic senators
A grand jury refused to indict Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over a video the president called seditious, delivering a blow to a prosecution Trump publicly demanded.
www.ms.now
We have juries in the US because it is a bulwark against government overreach. Don’t blow off jury duty.
NEWS

The Trump administration tried and failed on Tuesday to secure an indictment in connection with a video featuring six Democratic lawmakers urging members of the military and intelligence communities not to comply with unlawful orders.

Full Story: nbcnews.to/4r4Ts3v
It’s great that the grand jury said nix, but the attempt was a significant escalation.
Grand juries keep seeing through the Trump DOJ's naked attempts to intimidate critics and political rivals — this time for accurately stating that illegal orders must be disobeyed. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com
NEW: A newly updated reference manual for U.S. judges that provides answers to scientific and technical questions has eliminated some 90 pages about climate science.

It comes as numerous climate cases make their way through state and federal courts.
Under GOP Pressure, Federal Agency Pulls Climate Change Chapter From Official Manual for U.S. Judges
The “Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence” — updated for the first time in 15 years — eliminates some 90 pages about climate science and comes just as numerous climate cases make their way through ...
www.propublica.org

No masks!!

Reposted by Valerie P. Hans

📣 Out now - Research Handbook on Civil Justice

🖊️ Edited by Anne Bloom, David Engel, and Richard Lorren Jolly

📜 Read first chapter free: elgaronline.com/view/book/97...
📘 Shop the hardback: www.e-elgar.com/shop/isbn/97...

@nigeljbalmer.bsky.social @jurygirl.bsky.social @richardljolly.bsky.social

It's a phenomenal book!!

Who taught your American Jury System course, @unlawfulentries.bsky.social ??

Outrageous!
Trump on his multiple suits against the federal government: "I'm supposed to work out a settlement with myself ... We could make it a substantial amount, nobody would care, because it's gonna go to numerous, very good charities."

New publication & open access; comparing in person and virtual movk juries.

www.apa.org/news/press/r...
www.apa.org

Thank you Alexi!
Amazing study of difference between online juries and in person from @jurygirl.bsky.social

This is really important for access to justice and making jury service accessible

www.apa.org/news/press/r...
www.apa.org

Reposted by Valerie P. Hans

Amazing study of difference between online juries and in person from @jurygirl.bsky.social

This is really important for access to justice and making jury service accessible

www.apa.org/news/press/r...
www.apa.org
"It may take time to prove you're right, but you have to stick to it."
- Fred Korematsu

Jailed for refusing to abide by FDR's Exec Order 9066, he took his case against internment all the way to the Supreme Court - and lost. Remember him on Korematsu Day, January 30th. 1/

Looks like a great panel; thanks for doing it in this difficult moment.

Ok I'm waiting for the Minneapolis Strong jury trials!

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Mariana Mazzucato, Stephen M. Walt , and 181 more

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be

Very helpful context. Thanks for posting. I'm shocked at the high public support for the Kent State shootings!

Interesting!

Good luck! Have you considered a snowblower? We have an electric one.

Important to know about:

False Posts and Altered Images Distort Views of Minnesota Shooting www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/u...
False Posts and Altered Images Distort Views of Minnesota Shooting
www.nytimes.com