There are a number of possible reasons why a juror could be challenged for cause, such as:
- Being related to any of the parties in the case, including the victim or the defendant
- Having a preconceived opinion about the case which would make it impossible to objectively hear evidence and make a decision on guilt or innocence.
- Prior knowledge of the facts of the case. ...
Full Answer
Will it take a complete day for jury selection?
Jun 08, 2020 · What is a challenge for cause in jury selection? Challenge for cause is a practice that allows attorneys to remove prospective jurors who can't render a fair and impartial verdict. Click to see full answer. Also know, what is meant by challenging a juror for cause? Before a trial can begin, a jury of the defendant's peers must be selected. This process is referred to as voire …
How to select a jury?
Aug 31, 2015 · Definition of Challenge for Cause. Noun. A request to dismiss a prospective juror on the grounds that he or she cannot be fair and unbiased, or is …
What are the steps in the jury selection process?
Dec 27, 2020 · A 'challenge for cause' allows the attorney the ability to explain to the judge why this potential juror should not be sitting on this particular case. To learn more about jury selection and challenges for cause, I invite you to watch the video below...
How long does the jury selection process take?
Aug 13, 2020 · challenge for cause. n. a request that a prospective juror be dismissed because there is a specific and forceful reason to believe the person cannot be fair, unbiased or capable of serving as a juror.
What is a challenge 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.
What is the jury number for Alexander?
Potential juror number 23 is a retired police officer.
What are the legal issues?
Related Legal Terms and Issues 1 Bias – A prejudice or strong feeling in favor of, or against, a person, group, idea, or issue, usually considered to be unfair. 2 Trial – A formal presentation of evidence before a judge and jury for the purpose of determining guilt or innocence in a criminal case, or to make a determination in a civil matter.
What does "dismiss" mean?
Noun. A request to dismiss a prospective juror on the grounds that he or she cannot be fair and unbiased, or is otherwise not capable of serving on a jury.
How many peremptory challenges are there in a voire dire?
This number varies by jurisdiction, but is generally between 6 and 20 peremptory challenges per attorney.
What is bias in a case?
Bias – A prejudice or strong feeling in favor of, or against, a person, group, idea, or issue, usually considered to be unfair. Trial – A formal presentation of evidence before a judge and jury for the purpose of determining guilt or innocence in a criminal case, or to make a determination in a civil matter.
Can a lawyer dismiss a prospective juror?
It is important to note that an attorney may not dismiss a prospective juror, whether through peremptory challenge, or challenge for cause, because of race, ethnicity, or religion. A challenge for cause can, however, be made because of a potential juror’s beliefs or past experiences, which may make it difficult to hear a case without bias.
What is the challenge for cause?
challenge for cause. n. a request that a prospective juror be dismissed because there is a specific and forceful reason to believe the person cannot be fair, unbiased or capable of serving as a juror.
What is the difference between a peremptory challenge and a challenge for cause?
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 …
What is meant by peremptory challenges?
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.
Who can use peremptory challenges?
In the United States, the use of peremptory challenges by criminal prosecutors to remove persons from a cognizable group (i.e., of one race, ethnicity, or gender) based solely on that group characteristic has been ruled to be unconstitutional in Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986).
Are peremptory challenges fair?
Those who favor retention of the peremptory challenge point to its four purposes: The peremptory challenge allows litigants to secure a fair and impartial jury. It gives the parties some control over the jury selection process.
Why are peremptory challenges bad?
The best-known problem with peremptory challenges — a lawyer’s dismissal of a prospective juror without a stated cause — may be that too often there actually is a cause, and it’s an improper one. Courts have banned the practice, but when lawyers need not state a cause, it’s not always easy to know their motivations.
Does peremptory challenge still exist?
The peremptory challenge,’ once defined by the U.S. Supreme Court as a challenge “exercised without a reason stated, without inquiry and without being subject to the court’s control,”2 no longer exists in the American judicial system.
