Identify and describe the three steps of voir dire process. Consider the upcoming trial consists of a Hispanic defendant

Question

A total of twelve challenges for cause have already been used by the defense when a potential juror illustrates racial prejudice against individuals of Hispanic descent. Can the defense excuse this person from serving on the jury? Why or why not? If so, how?

Answer 1

There are three main steps in the voir dire process. Voir dire usually begins with the judge asking questions concerningpotential jurors' familiarity with the case, attitudes toward oneor the other party to the case, demographic information, andso on. This is often done to guide the attorneys in their voir dire questioning. Next, during voir dire, both the defense andthe prosecution have an unlimited number of so-called challengesfor cause, which are used to exclude potential jurorsfrom service on the jury because of bias or a similar reason. Next, each attorney is afforded a certain number of peremptory challenges. These call for the removal of potential jurors without any type of argument for any reason whatsoever. If a potential juror illustrates racial prejudice against the defendant the defense can ask for the juror to be excused for cause. More than likely a challenge for cause would succeed and the potential juror would be excused. Challenges for causes are unlimited. If the challenge for cause was unsuccessful the defense could request the potential juror be removed through a peremptory challenge if all challenges have not been used.