Topic > The Jury Selection Process

The Jury Selection ProcessThe right to a trial by jury is promoted by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The jury selection process is the process by which individuals who will serve on the jury predominantly during a jury trial. The jury is selected by lawyers and judges through a process called “voir dire.” Usually, judges and lawyers arrive at decisions about who will serve on the jury by asking questions. The jury selection process is a very important aspect of the criminal justice process. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen a case goes to trial, a randomly selected number of potential jurors also call seats to come to the courtroom. The process then begins with voir dire questions to determine whether the potential jurors are of sound mind and whether serving on the jury will not cause them any hardship. In most cases, a person who is the only person caring for a sick person can be exempted from jury participation (Hans and Vidmar 39). Lawyers then question potential jurors about their general background and biases. Furthermore, they may be asked questions relating to their knowledge of the pre-existing case. Lawyers can ask questions in order to ascertain any experiences that may lead the jurors to favor one of the parties involved, i.e. the prosecution and the defense. However, lawyers are not allowed to ask personal questions or ask in advance how the jurors would rule on the case (Hans and Vidmar 45). After the attorneys complete the questioning process, the attorneys begin eliminating potential jurors from the panel by creating challenges (challenges of cause and peremptory challenges). For example, to serve on the jury, a person must be 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. Additionally, potential jurors may be eliminated if they are unable to represent the sound traits. Judges can also fire individuals who cannot apply the law impartially (Hans and Vidmar 50). Finally, there is the "jury strike" in which the defense and prosecution argue their case against the challenges to the case. If the challenge is accepted by the judge, the juror is expelled from the panel. In the event that there are no more plausible explanations for the disputes in the case, the defense and the prosecution exchange roles. At the end of the challenges, the selected jurors are then placed in the jury box. The lawyers then assert any disputes regarding the demographic composition. The jurors are then sworn in and the jury selection process proceeds to the next phase of the trial (Hans and Vidmar 50). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayConclusion, Although there have been complaints regarding the jury selection process, the jury selection process is very crucial in criminal justice as it provides lawyers a chance to develop a rapport with the jury and educate them on certain theories that they might have regarding the case.