what are ethical grounds for an attorney to exercise a peremptory challenge

by Joany Conn 6 min read

What are peremptory challenges in a civil case?

Sep 17, 2012 · What are the ethical issues in Information Technology? Ethical issues in IT. differ from general ethical issues in a variety of ways. Parker, Swope and Baker note that ethical problems involving ...

What are the challenges to peremptory strikes?

In short, the Supreme Court has acknowledged that any peremptory challenge may involve assumptions of some form of bias, and has indicated that there may be close calls as to whether a particular assumption of bias is permissible. The serious question is whether lawyers who exercise peremptory challenges in the interests of their clients

What is a peremptory challenge under the 14th Amendment?

Jun 06, 1997 · The court said that a party objecting to the other side’s use of a peremptory challenge on racial grounds must: a) make a timely objection on that basis; b) show that the venireperson is a member of a distinct racial group; and c) request that the trial court ask the striking party the reason for the strike.

What has the Supreme Court said about peremptory challenges based on gender?

Since 1978, attorneys in California criminal trials have been forbidden to exercise peremptory challenges based on a lawyer’s belief that certain individuals are biased because they are a member of a specific racial, ethnic or religious group. ( People v. …

For what reasons might an attorney use a peremptory challenge give specific examples?

The rationale behind allowing peremptory challenges is to give the attorneys an opportunity to seat the best jury for each case. Since each side will reject the jurors that they presume will favor the other side, the result should be a well-balanced jury.

What is the only reason that lawyers Cannot use a peremptory challenge?

Although no reason must be given for exercising a peremptory challenge, an attorney's use of the challenge cannot be motivated by bias.

What would be an attorney's motivation for using a peremptory challenge during the voir dire?

A peremptory challenge can be a major part of voir dire. A peremptory challenge also allows attorneys to veto a potential juror on a "hunch". The idea behind peremptory challenges is that if both parties have contributed in the configuration of the jury, they will find its verdict more acceptable.

What is the process of challenging a peremptory challenge?

A peremptory challenge results in the exclusion of a potential juror without the need for any reason or explanation - unless the opposing party presents a prima facie argument that this challenge was used to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, or sex.

What are the differences between a challenge for cause and a peremptory challenge?

Unlike challenges for cause, which must be based on logical reasons why the potential juror is biased, prejudiced, or unquali- fied to serve in a particular case, peremptory challenges are often inspired by hunches, intuition, or "shots in the dark., 20 As a parti- san, a lawyer uses peremptory challenges not to select ...Apr 19, 1997

Who makes the final decision when a lawyer uses a challenge for cause on a potential juror?

Who makes the final decision when a lawyer uses a challenge for cause on a potential juror? The Judge.

What is the most important factor in deciding whether to prosecute?

The most important factor in deciding whether to prosecute is: if there is sufficient evidence for conviction.

What does a peremptory challenge do quizlet?

A challenge used to question the racial, ethnic, religious, etc. motives of a peremptory challenge. If used, a lawyer using a peremptory challenge must provide a "for cause" reason to strike a juror. Large group (12-24) of jurors who decide if a person should be indicted.

What are two situations that might amount to a challenge for cause?

Attorneys may make an unlimited number of challenges for cause. A challenge for cause may be made for any reason that the attorney feels would make the individual unable to judge without bias. For example: Alexander is facing trial for charges of armed robbery, fleeing from the police, and assault on a police officer.Aug 31, 2015

Are peremptory challenges allowed in Canada?

In September 2019, Bill C-75, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to other Acts S.C. 2019, c. 25 [Bill C-75], was passed, which abolished peremptory challenges and substituted lay triers with judges for challenges of cause.Oct 13, 2021

What is the difference between a peremptory challenge and a challenge for cause quizlet?

A challenge for cause is an objection to a juror alleging that the juror is incapable or unfit to serve on the jury. You have... A peremptory challenge is made to a juror without assigning any reason.

What is a for cause challenge?

A challenge that aims to disqualify a potential juror for some stated reason. Typical reasons include bias, prejudice, or prior knowledge that would prevent impartial evaluation of the evidence presented in court.

What states had limited the right of an individual prosecutor to exercise peremptory challenges on racial grounds

1982, pressure for change was building. Two states, California and Massachusetts, had limited the right of an individual prosecutor to exercise peremptory challenges on racial grounds. Then it was New York’s turn to enter the fray. In People v.

What is the function of the trial court in determining the reasonableness of a reason?

Finally, the court added a caveat: The function of the trial court in determining the reasonableness of a reason was not to substitute its judgment for that of the lawyer giving it; the court should merely decide if the reason given was such that some reasonable persons would agree. And then in Roundtree v.

What is the Equal Protection Clause?

A divided Court heldthe Equal Protection Clause forbids the prosecutor from challenging potential jurors solely on account of their race,” but to establish a claim a defendant would have to show that he or she was a member of a “cognizable racial group” and that the challenged juror was “of the defendant’s race.”.

What was the Alabama strike jury?

In 1965, Alabama was using a “struck jury” system in which “about 100 people” would be called for service in a capital case. As the U.S. Supreme Court explained in Swain v. Alabama, 380 U.S. 202 (1965), “ [a]fter excusals and removals for cause, the veniere in a capital case is reduced to about 75. The jury is then ‘struck’ — the defense striking two veniremen and the prosecution one in alternating turns, until only 12 jurors remain.” The Court refused to examine the prosecutor’s reason for exercising challenges and said, “ [W]e cannot hold that the striking of Negroes in a particular case is a denial of equal protection of the laws.” But, the Court warned, “If the State has not seen fit to leave a single Negro on any jury in a criminal case, the presumption protecting the prosecutor might well be overcome.”

What was the Supreme Court ruling in State v. Neil?

Neil, 457 So. 2d 481 (Fla. 1984). Beginning its historic decision with the words, “Believing it is time in Florida to hold that jurors should. . . not be subject to being rejected solely because of the color of their skin ,” the court held that peremptory challenges would no longer be completely peremptory. Instead, if one party excused a prospective juror who was a member of a distinct racial group, and the opposing party objected and showed a strong likelihood that the veniereperson was challenged because of race, the party seeking to exercise the challenge would be required to show that the challenge was not exercised solely on racial grounds. After 750 years, at least in Florida and two other states, the hapless William could no longer oust just anyone he suspected of desiring his condemnation; sometimes he would have to provide an explanation. 2

Why would an attorney dismiss a juror?

The impetus for the objection is that the attorney’s reason for dismissing a particular juror was his or her belief that members of a particular race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender think alike merely because they are a member of that cognizable group.

What does "objection Wheeler Batson" mean?

With each juror excused, the other side may intone, “Objection, Wheeler/Batson, ” thereby invoking the trial court’s obligation to ensure each trial is conducted with a jury representing a cross-section of California’s diverse population.

What is comparative analysis in a trial?

To evaluate the proffered reasons, a trial or appellate court may engage in comparative analysis in which the judge considers a number of factors to evaluate the veracity of the attorney’s stated reason for exercising a peremptory challenge compared to a number of other factors. ( Miller-El v.

What is the basis for a peremptory challenge?

Code of Civil Procedure 170.6 provides the statutory basis to disqualify a judge from hearing a proceeding. A peremptory challenge is usually made by filing an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury that the judge is prejudiced against a party or attorney for a party using a locally approved form.

What is papering the judge?

I have previously posted: “ Papering the Judge: The Rules .” Those rules state that a motion to disqualify a judge pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6 (also known as a peremptory challenge) shall be made to the assigned judge or to the presiding judge: failure to follow this rule can be grounds to deny the motion.

What is a peremptory challenge?

A peremptory challenge permits a party to remove a prospective juror without giving a reason ( e.g., disqualification, implied bias or actual bias) for the removal. 11 During jury selection, each side will challenge potential jurors that the party views as most likely to disagree with their factual and legal theories.

What are the two types of challenges to the jury?

Jury selection throughout the United States allows two forms of challenges to ensure a fair trial: challenges for cause (sometimes known as challenges to the favor) and peremptory challenges. However, when peremptory challenges are “used to express stereotypical judgments about race, gender, religion, or national origin, ...

What factors do trial judges consider?

A trial judge may consider all relevant factors in determining whether at step 1 there is a prima facie case of an inference of discrimination and whether at step 3 there is purposeful discrimination by the party exercising the challenge. Factors the court may consider include:

What are the two avenues available to ensure a fair jury pool in both civil and criminal cases?

Two avenues are available to ensure a fair jury pool in both civil and criminal cases: challenges for cause and peremptory challenges. Challenges for cause generally include lack of necessary qualifications for jury service, implied bias, and actual bias. 6 Challenges for implied bias are based upon a relationship between the parties, the witnesses, or the attorneys and the potential juror. 7 Implied bias is conclusively presumed as a matter of law regardless of actual partiality. 8 Implied bias is usually defined in court rules or statutes.

Why is the Washington Supreme Court ruling invalid?

The Washington Supreme Court went further and found certain reasons to be “presumptively invalid.” 109 Those reasons include: (i) having prior contact with law enforcement officers. ( ii) expressing a distrust of law enforcement or a belief that law enforcement officers engage in racial profiling.

What is a peremptory challenge?

Peremptory Challenge. The right to challenge a juror without assigning, or being required to assign, a reason for the challenge.During the selection of a jury, both parties to the proceeding may challenge prospective jurors for a lack of impartiality, known as a challenge for cause. A party may challenge an unlimited number ...

When did the peremptory challenge come under legal attack?

Peremptory challenges came under legal attack in the 1980s.

Why did white prosecutors use their peremptory challenges to remove African Americans from the jury when the criminal defendant was

Critics claimed that white prosecutors used their peremptory challenges to remove African Americans from the jury when the criminal defendant was also African American because the prosecutors thought that the potential jurors would be sympathetic to a member of their own race.

Which state took an early giant leap from the typical Batson analysis to recognize gender as an impermissible reason to

On the other side of the spectrum, North Dakota took an early, giant leap from the typical Batson analysis to recognize gender as an impermissible reason to use a peremptory challenge on a juror before the United States Supreme Court addressed this issue in J.E.B.

When was the right to challenge jurors abolished?

the right to challenge jurors without having to give a reason or show cause. It was abolished in England and Wales by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and in Scotland by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1995.

Do parties have a right to peremptory challenges?

Parties do not have a federal constitutional right to exercise peremptory challenges. Peremptory challenges are granted by statute or by case law. The number of challenges is usually determined by statute, but some jurisdictions allow the trial court to grant additional peremptory challenges.

Can a party challenge a prospective jury?

A party may challenge an unlimited number of prospective jurors for cause. Parties also may exercise a limited number of peremptory challenges. These challenges permit a party to remove a prospective juror without giving a reason for the removal. Peremptory challenges provide a more impartial and better qualified jury.