Court time

Vince · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 4:51 pm Post subject: Court time

One for the LEO or legal people amongst us, or even someone who has been through the process.

The scenario…Joe Bloggs is arrested for a crime and put before the Courts. The gravity of his crime necessitates a higher level of Court and a Jury trial.

The Court is set, and the time comes to select and swear in a Jury. What is the procedure for selecting a Jury in the US? Do they assemble a number (40 or more) of prospective Jurors and using a ballot method draw names from a barrel.

As each Juror is called forward to be sworn in by the Court Bailiff, does the Prosecutor and their Counsel, followed by the Defence Counsel…after scrutinising the prospective Juror as they approach the Bailiff…have first say on challenging the Juror, effectively refusing and rejecting the Juror from being on the Jury? Note that remaining silent denotes acceptance of a Juror.

I’m very curious as to these procedures and in particular wonder what parameters or criteria the Prosecutor and Defence Counsel apply to their refusing a Juror.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

When I had jury duty they put all the potential jurors in a room and the defense / prosecution took turns declining specific individuals that apparently thought it would hurt their side.

I was among the first dismissed. Smile

-DallanC

dhc4ever · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 11:13 pm Post subject: Re: Court time

Works in a similar way here only the jurors are in the court room, you get called and walk towards the jury dock, either defence or prosicution can reject you before you reach the dock.
Been chosen twice, rejected twice.
I must work on my You are f ed look.

Elvis · Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Court time

I got selected, was interesting 2 days.....not everything is as clear cut as its made out....two potential jurors got rejected,two others opted out as had personal connection/knew accused or victims

Vince · Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Court time

Sounds like the procedures are the same in most places.

Like you dhc4ever, I was selected but didn’t get past the Prosecutor…in fact I only got two steps into the Courtroom before being told to “Stand By”, challenged by the Prosecutor. I must have had the “march the guilty bastard in” look on my face.

RePete · Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: Court time

I was called for jury duty once, they vetted the potential jurors and when they got to me I told them that I knew the officer involved (a friend) and that I was a former LEO. EXCUSED NEVER TO BE CALLED AGAIN.