Criminal procedure

Voir Dire

Voir dire is the questioning of potential jurors to decide who will sit on the jury.

The judge, and often the lawyers, ask about the jurors' backgrounds, exposure to the case, and any views that would prevent impartiality. In federal court the judge usually leads the questioning, with attorney participation varying by district and judge.

Two kinds of strikes remove jurors. A challenge for cause requires a specific reason and is unlimited; a peremptory challenge needs no reason but is limited in number and cannot be based on race or sex.

In high-profile cases the process expands dramatically. Written questionnaires, individual questioning outside the presence of other jurors, and days of selection are common, and disputes about the questions themselves can end up on appeal. Anonymous or partially sequestered juries appear in cases with security concerns, and the orders establishing them are public even when the jurors' identities are not.