What is the process of jury selection for criminal cases?

In Virginia, jury selection for criminal cases follows a process known as voir dire. During voir dire, both the prosecution and defense counsel can ask prospective jurors questions about their background and experiences related to the case. The purpose is to ensure that the jurors are impartial and will not be biased toward either side. The judge will then randomly select each juror from a pool of potential jurors. The prospective jurors will be called to the court one at a time, and will be asked questions about their qualifications to serve as jurors. The judge and lawyers may ask questions about the prospective jurors’ education, work experience, and any opinions they might have on the case. If either side believes that a prospective juror should not serve, they may make a motion to have that juror excluded. For instance, if a prospective juror has a close relationship to one of the parties involved in the trial, they may be excluded. Each side has a limited number of jury challenges and must use them carefully. Once the jury has been selected, they must swear an oath to remain impartial and deliver a verdict based on the evidence presented at the trial. The jury will then listen to the evidence and deliberations, and ultimately make a decision on the guilt or innocence of the accused.

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What is the process of jury selection for criminal cases?

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