the process of selecting a jury which permits an attorney to ask a jury questions is:

by Otis Ritchie III 8 min read

When attorneys are asking potential jurors questions it is called voir dire ( sounds like “war deer” ), it is the jury selection process. Attorneys ask questions of potential jurors to determine juror attitudes, biases, and their ability to truly be an impartial juror.

Jury Pool to Jury Box
When a jury is needed for a trial, the group of qualified jurors is taken to the courtroom where the trial will take place. The judge and the attorneys then ask the potential jurors questions to determine their suitability to serve on the jury, a process called voir dire.

Full Answer

What is the jury selection process in court?

Although the methods may vary or be referred to by different names in different courts, jury selection occurs through one of two basic methods: The struck jury method (see Struck Jury Method). The jury box method, also known as the strike-and-replace or sequential method (see Jury Box Method).

What is it called when an attorney asks a juror questions?

The jury selection process depends in large part on the type of jury selection that the court permits. Although the methods may vary or be referred to by different names in different courts, jury selection occurs through one of two basic methods: …

Who should be the jury selector?

The questions they ask for jury duty are related to: Residency details. Children and relationship status. Employment status. Education level. Information on prior jury service. Other relevant experiences. When you answer them, court attorneys will ask questions about case-related experiences, knowledge of any related party, and your general ...

What is a bad question to ask in jury selection?

What is the process of interviewing jurors called?

Lawyers and judges select juries by a process known as "voir dire," which is Latin for "to speak the truth." In voir dire, the judge and attorneys for both sides ask potential jurors questions to determine if they are competent and suitable to serve in the case.

What is the name given to the procedure for questioning prospective jurors?

This questioning of the potential jurors is known as voir dire (to speak the truth). If either lawyer believes there is information that suggests a juror is prejudiced about the case, he or she can ask the judge to dismiss that juror for cause.Sep 9, 2019

How do courts choose jurors?

Choosing the jury The court uses numbers not names when selecting jurors. At the start of the trial, the court clerk randomly selects jury panel numbers. If they call your panel number, reply “yes” and go to the jury box in the courtroom. Court security staff will guide you.

What procedures are followed in jury selection?

Each district court randomly selects citizens' names from lists of registered voters and people with drivers licenses who live in that district. The people randomly selected complete a questionnaire to help determine if they are qualified to serve on a jury.

What should counsel do before jury selection?

Before jury selection begins, counsel should determine the kinds of individuals who would be most beneficial and most damaging to the client. Counsel may use this assessment to compare and evaluate prospective jurors.

Why is it important for counsel to review the applicable rules before selecting a jury?

Because the jury selection process widely varies among courts and even among judges, it is critical for counsel to review the applicable rules before selecting a jury. Specifically, counsel should review:

What is the jury box method?

By contrast, under the jury box method, the court randomly selects individuals from the venire equal to the number of jurors needed to form a viable jury , and seats them in the jury box. The court or counsel conducts voir dire on only the seated panel. The court then may dismiss some individuals from the seated panel for cause or based on counsel’s peremptory challenges. The court then replaces these individuals with new individuals randomly drawn from

How many members are on a federal jury?

Unlike a federal criminal jury, which requires 12 members, a federal civil jury may have between 6 and 12 members. Unless the parties stipulate otherwise, which is rare, a civil verdict must be both:

How far in advance should you get a list of prospective jurors?

Some courts will provide this list on request, sometimes up to one week in advance of jury selection. Counsel should research as much as possible about each prospective juror.

What is a peremptory challenge?

Peremptory challenges allow counsel to eliminate prospective jurors without having to provide a justification or an explanation , as long as the challenges are not based on race, gender, or ethnic origin (see Batson Challenges). Counsel should reserve peremptory challenges for striking the jurors most hostile to a client’s case who cannot successfully be challenged for cause.

Can counsel base a peremptory challenge on race?

Although counsel generally do not need to explain the basis for exercising a peremptory challenge, counsel cannot base the challenge on race, gender, or ethnic origin (see Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986); Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Co., 500 U.S. 614, 616 (1991) (extending Batson to civil cases)). Some courts have applied this rule to include other protected classes, such as sexual orientation (see, for example, SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Abbott Labs., 740 F.3d 471, 489 (9th Cir. 2014)).