Difference between revisions of "Voir Dire"
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== Background == | == Background == | ||
| − | According to the United States Constitution, if you are charged with a crime punishable by incarceration, you | + | According to the United States Constitution, if you are charged with a crime punishable by incarceration, you likely have a right to a trial by jury. Moreover, defendants have a right to a jury that is impartial or free from prejudice against the accused. There must, however, be a process for discerning bias, and the process common law courts use is known as "voir dire." In essence, voir dire is a method of jury selection wherein the judge and/or the attorneys ask prospective jurors questions in order to ferret out bias. |
In some states and most federal courts, the judge conducts voir dire. This article is not concerned with voir dire in these jurisdictions. Rather, this article will focus on attorney-conducted voir dire. | In some states and most federal courts, the judge conducts voir dire. This article is not concerned with voir dire in these jurisdictions. Rather, this article will focus on attorney-conducted voir dire. | ||
