Course: Introduction
Jury selection, also known as voir dire, is the process by which potential jurors are chosen to serve on a jury for a legal proceeding, such as a trial. The goal of jury selection is to select a fair and impartial jury that is representative of the community and can make an unbiased decision based on the evidence presented in the case.
The process begins with a pool of potential jurors, who are usually selected from a list of registered voters or licensed drivers in the area where the trial is being held. The potential jurors are then screened to determine their eligibility and availability to serve on the jury. Those who are ineligible or unavailable are excused from the process.
Next, the remaining potential jurors are typically questioned by the judge and the attorneys in a process called voir dire. The purpose of voir dire is to identify any potential biases or conflicts of interest that may prevent a juror from being fair and impartial in the case. The judge and attorneys may ask a variety of questions to the potential jurors, including questions about their personal beliefs, experiences, and backgrounds.
Based on the answers to these questions, the judge and attorneys may challenge the potential jurors, either for cause (meaning they are disqualified for a specific reason, such as a conflict of interest) or through a peremptory challenge (meaning they are excused without a specific reason). The final jury is then selected from the remaining pool of eligible jurors.
Jury selection is an important part of the legal process, as it helps to ensure that the parties to the case are judged by a fair and impartial group of their peers.
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Last Modified: 03/09/2023