How Does Jury Selection Work?

Full Video Transcript

Once it has been determined that a case will have a jury, the process of jury selection begins. Almost every citizen over 18 is eligible for jury service, with some exceptions. The randomly selected jury pool is summoned to appear in court for the jury selection. The people summoned must arrive on their date or follow the instructions on their summons to request a change in their appearance date. Potential jurors may be called into a courtroom, where the judge, court reporter, and both parties are already located. Each potential juror is interviewed by the prosecution and defense. The topics of these questions can be incredibly sensitive in nature. The goal is to find out if an individual has any prejudices that may affect their ability to render a fair and impartial verdict. Jurors are either dismissed or retained for jury service.