Jury Management & Court Operations Flashcards

What is a 'peremptory challenge' in jury selection?

Answer: An attorney's right to dismiss a juror without stating a reason, subject to constitutional limits

Peremptory challenges allow attorneys to excuse a limited number of jurors without giving a reason, though they cannot be used to discriminate by race or gender.

Under the Supreme Court's ruling in Batson v. Kentucky, what restriction applies to peremptory challenges?

Answer: They cannot be used to exclude jurors solely based on race

Batson v. Kentucky established that using peremptory challenges to exclude jurors based on race violates the Equal Protection Clause.

What is 'sequestration' of a jury?

Answer: Isolating jurors from outside contact and media during a trial to prevent outside influence

Sequestration keeps jurors isolated from news coverage and outside communications to ensure verdict integrity in high-profile cases.

What is an 'alternate juror' and why are they selected?

Answer: An additional juror seated to replace a regular juror who becomes unable to serve during trial

Alternate jurors hear the full trial and are ready to substitute for any regular juror who cannot continue, preventing mistrial.

What is the primary measure used to evaluate the effectiveness of a jury summons program?

Answer: The yield rate — the percentage of summoned jurors who appear and are qualified for service

Yield rate reflects how efficiently the summons process converts summons sent into available, qualified jurors ready for selection.

Which best practice improves juror satisfaction and public trust in the jury system?

Answer: Providing clear orientation, timely communication, comfortable waiting areas, and realistic scheduling

Juror satisfaction programs that emphasize respect for jurors' time and comfort improve compliance and public confidence in the courts.