how many “peremptory challenges” can a lawyer make in jury selection?

by Uriel Smith V 6 min read

Challenge for Cause. During voire dire, each attorney is allowed to dismiss up to a specified number of potential jurors without giving a reason. This number varies by jurisdiction, but is generally between 6 and 20 peremptory challenges per attorney.

Full Answer

Who is entitled to peremptory challenges to prospective jurors?

three Peremptory Challenges: For Felonies NOT punishable by death or life imprisonment, and all misdemeanors, each party shall be entitled to three (3) peremptory challenges plus 1 peremptory challenge for each alternate. The trial judge may exercise discretion to allow additional peremptory challenges when appropriate.

How many peremptory challenges do lawyers have?

 · challenges. Generally attorneys receive 3 peremptory challenges for a six person jury (case valued under $25,000.00) and 6 peremptory challenges for a twelve person jury. Should an attorney always...

What are the rules for examination of jurors in a trial?

Each side has 3 peremptory challenges when the defendant is charged with a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment of one year or less, or both. (c) Alternate Jurors. (1) In General. The court may impanel up to 6 alternate jurors to replace any jurors who are unable to perform or who are disqualified from performing their duties. (2) Procedure.

Can a lawyer challenge a juror for cause?

During jury selection, the prosecution used peremptory strikes to remove five African-American prospective jurors, leaving Snyder to be tried before an all-white jury. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.

How many jurors can return a verdict?

Rule 23 (b) provides that in some circumstances a verdict may be returned by eleven jurors. In addition, there may be cases where it is better to retain the alternates when the jury retires, insulate them from the deliberation process, and have them available should one or more vacancies occur in the jury.

Why was Rule 24 amended?

The language of Rule 24 has been amended as part of the general restyling of the Criminal Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only, except as noted below.

What is Rule 24 C?

As currently written, Rule 24 (c) explicitly requires the court to discharge all of the alternate jurors—who have not been selected to replace other jurors— when the jury retires to deliberate. That requirement is grounded on the concern that after the case has been submitted to the jury, its deliberations must be private and inviolate. United States v. Houlihan, 92 F.3d 1271, 1285 (1st Cir. 1996), citing United States v. Virginia Election Corp ., 335 F.2d 868, 872 (4th Cir. 1964).

What was Allen Snyder's crime?

Allen Snyder, an African-American man, was tried for the murder of his estranged wife's companion. During jury selection, the prosecution used peremptory strikes to remove five African-American prospective jurors, leaving Snyder to be tried before an all-white jury. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.

Who was Allen Snyder?

Allen Snyder, an African-American man , was tried for the murder of his estranged wife's companion. During jury selection, the prosecution used peremptory strikes to remove five African-American prospective jurors, leaving Snyder to be tried before an all-white jury.

Can a lawyer use a peremptory challenge to exclude a potential juror?

No reason is required for a lawyer to use a peremptory challenge to excuse a potential juror. Such challenges allow each side to dismiss jurors who are otherwise qualified, but appear likely to favor the opposing party. However, peremptory challenges cannot be used to exclude jurors on the basis of race or class.

Can a lawyer use a peremptory challenge?

However, peremptory challenges cannot be used to exclude jurors on the basis of race or class. Lawyers only have a specified number of peremptory challenges available— that number varies from state to state and depending on the nature of the case (a misdemeanor, felony, or death penalty trial).

What is the right to trial by jury?

The right to trial by jury in criminal cases is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as the laws of every state. (See The Right to Trial by Jury .) 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 ...

What is the process of striking a jury?

In the process known as "striking a jury," the prosecution and defense take turns arguing their challenges for cause. If the judge grants a challenge, the juror will be struck from the jury panel.

What is a challenge for cause?

Challenges for Cause. Challenges for cause are made when voir dire reveals that a juror is not qualified, able, or fit to serve in a particular case. Lawyers generally have an unlimited number of "for cause" challenges available.

How old do you have to be to be a juror?

In order to serve as a juror, a person must be a U.S. citizen, over the age of 18 , live in the court's jurisdiction, and have the right to vote. Also, each person must be able to physically sit through the entire trial as well as hear and understand the trial testimony.

Can a judge dismiss a juror?

Judges will also dismiss jurors who can't put aside their feelings and apply the law impartially—that is, without actual or implied bias. Actual Bias. Actual bias arises when potential jurors admit that they wouldn't be able to be impartial.

What is a peremptory challenge?

These are known as peremptory challenges, which are ways to get rid of jurors who present no obvious evidence of bias or unsuitability.

Can a judge reject a juror?

Lawyers can ask a judge to reject potential jurors who are biased or incapable of following the law. They can also toss a certain number of unbiased jurors for almost no reason at all…as long as it’s not an improper reason.

What is pretrial publicity?

Criminal cases sometimes generate extensive pretrial publicity, with talking heads expounding on the evidence, the defendant, and the probable outcome of the case. People who have watched, read, or listened to such accounts may have formed opinions that will be hard to put aside.