Commonly Used Terms

Voir dire: Meaning to “speak the truth.” It s the process of selecting a jury. Oral qustioning is designed to eliminate biased candidates and seats a jury that will decide a case based on the evidence. *

Jury pool: A group of randomly selected people who are supposed to reflect the makeup of the community. A jury pool can refer to the group of prospective jurors called for a specific trial, as well as all the potential jurors in a jurisdiction. *

Premptory challenge: The right to dismiss a juror without giving a reason. It cannot be based on race or gender. Each side is permitted a limited number of peremptory challenges. The number varies based on the circumstances of each case. *

Challenge for cause: An objection to a juror for a reason relating to the case. For example, a juror who has a business relationship with someone in a case can be dismissed for cause. *

Sequester: To segregate a jury from the public, often to prevent them from being influenced by publicity surrounding a high-profile case. Jurors may be required to stay at a hotel, at government expense, during deliberations only or during the entire course of a trial. *

Summons: A legal document that commans a person, such as a prospective juror, to appear at court. *

Prosecution, or prosecuting attorney: The public official or officials who argue the case against the accused. They are said to represent “the people,” meaning the larger community as a whole. *

Defense, or defense attorney: The counsel representing and arguing the case for the accused.