Jury Selection

Trial Trial by Jury Jury Selection

Introduction to Jury Selection

In the United States

The procedure usually followed in the trial of either a civil or criminal action is as follows. A panel of jurors is convened in the court in which the case is to be tried; the names of prospective jurors are drawn by lot by the clerk of the court, and as the names are called the prospective jurors take their seats in the jury box. The attorneys for the respective parties are then permitted to examine the jurors at length for the purpose of determining their qualifications to sit as jurors. Each side has the right, depending upon the type of case and the jurisdictions involved, to challenge a certain number of jurors peremptorily; that is, without cause. Prospective jurors who exhibit bias or prejudice can be challenged for cause. The first 12 persons who are accepted as satisfactory by both sides constitute the jury. See Jury.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Jury Selection in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Jury Selection