Selection of a Jury in the United States

In the U.S. the selection of a jury commences when a large group of citizens is called to appear for jury duty at each term of court. They are selected according to statutory and constitutional provisions. Each state has its own qualifications for those who may serve on a jury. In general, all jurors must be U.S. citizens, local residents, of majority age, of approved integrity, and of reasonable intelligence. The group of jurors called at any one time is known as a panel. Both the state and federal courts have independent lists of jurors that are made up under the direction of officials known as commissioners of jurors. Jurors are paid, as provided by statute, for time spent serving on jury duty.

At a trial the selection of the jury is made subject to the direction of the presiding judge. The names of the prospective jurors are drawn by lot by the clerk of the court. Both the defense and the prosecution may examine the jurors to ascertain whether cause for challenge in any particular case exists–that is, whether circumstances exist that might improperly influence a juror’s decisions, such as bias or self-interest. The parties to the action or their attorneys may then exercise their right to eliminate undesirable members from the jury by means of challenge.

See Also

Function of a Jury in the U.S..

Source:”Jury,” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000