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What Questions Might I Be Asked If I Am A Juror?
If one is reporting to court for jury duty, it may cause one anxiety not knowing what questions will be asked during jury selection. One may fear intrusion into one’s privacy or questions about his or her own criminal history. This article is meant to answer those questions to ease that unease.
The following questions are examples of questions that the judge or the attorneys may ask a potential juror when trying to select jurors and exclude others who may not be fit to serve as a juror. These questions may not be asked and other questions certainly may be asked, depending upon the facts of the case and the attorneys’ and judge’s experience and preferences.
Here are some of the more common questions:
- Please tell us the following: a) juror identification number (last four digits); b) occupation; c) marital / companion status; d) occupation of spouse & adult children; and e) prior jury experience, whether criminal or civil;
- Are you acquainted with the judge, court staff, prosecutor, defense counsel, or defendant, or any witnesses?
- Do you have knowledge of the facts of the case?
- Do you have any feelings about this particular offense that would make it difficult for you to be a fair and impartial juror?
- A defendant is presumed to be innocent, and before he / she may be found guilty, the prosecution must prove his / her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Will you have any difficulty in following these rules of law?
- A party, witness, or attorney may come from a particular national, racial, or religious group, or have a lifestyle different from your own. Would that fact in any way affect your judgement?
- Do you or any relative or close friend have any formal legal training?
- Have you or any relative or close friend ever been a victim of a crime?
- Have you or any relative or close friend ever been arrested for a crime?
- Are you a member, or do you have any relative or close friend who is a member of any law enforcement agency?
- Have you or any relative or close friend ever had contact with law enforcement officer (example being undeserved parking ticket) which would make it difficult for you to be fair?
- Will you have any difficulty applying the same standards to judge all witnesses’ testimony regardless of who they are?
- Have you ever been a party or witness in any civil or criminal case?
- Will you have any difficulty keeping an open mind until you have heard all of the evidence, all of the lawyers’ arguments and all of the law?
- Will you have any difficulty not discussing the case with anyone until it is submitted to the twelve jurors for a decision?
- Each attorney has the right to excuse prospective jurors and to object to offered evidence. Would you disfavor either the attorney or that side of that case that exercised those rights?
- Will you have any difficulty following the law as given to you by the judge, even though you may disagree with it?
- Is there any religious or philosophical belief which would prevent you from sitting in judgment of another human being?
- Would the use of any interpreter cause you to discount or disapprove the testimony of a witness who requires one?
- Do you know of any reason why you would not be a completely fair and impartial juror in this case?
The attorneys then may ask additional questions that address the specific legal issues and facts of the case to be presented. Such questions may ask for juror experience with similar circumstances and how that juror felt or what he or she learned from the experience.
In a death penalty case, jurors certainly will be asked if he or she has any religious or philosophical beliefs that prevent imposing the death penalty even if the judge reads the jury instructions about imposing the death penalty.
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