Why might an attorney utilize peremptory challenges?
An attorney might utilize peremptory challenges for several reasons:
1. Jury selection: Peremptory challenges allow attorneys to remove potential jurors that they believe may be biased or unfavorable to their client's case. By removing these individuals, an attorney aims to select a jury that is more likely to be sympathetic towards their client or the arguments they will present.
2. Control over the jury composition: Attorneys may use peremptory challenges to strategically shape the composition of the jury. They may seek to remove potential jurors who have certain demographic characteristics, such as race, gender, or age, that they believe may affect their client's chances of receiving a fair trial. Although using peremptory challenges solely based on race or gender is generally impermissible, attorneys can still exercise these challenges without provided explanations in some jurisdictions.
3. Preempting bias: Peremptory challenges can be employed to prevent potential jurors who might have biases or prejudices from sitting on the jury. For example, if a potential juror has had personal experiences that may impair their ability to impartially evaluate the evidence, an attorney might choose to remove them using a peremptory challenge.
4. Tactical advantage: Attorneys may use peremptory challenges strategically to gain an advantage in the trial by removing individuals who they perceive as more likely to side with the opposing party or their arguments.
It is important to note that the use of peremptory challenges is regulated and may vary based on jurisdiction. The reasons and limitations for using peremptory challenges can differ depending on the legal system or jurisdiction in which the trial takes place.