How do prosecutors and defense lawyers choose a jury in criminal defense law?

In Mississippi, defense lawyers and prosecutors typically use a process called “voir dire” to choose a jury for a criminal defense trial. Voir dire is a legal term that means “to speak the truth” and is used to ensure that jurors are impartial and fair. During this process, both sides get to ask potential jurors questions to determine if they are suitable for the trial. The defense lawyer is generally looking for people who will not automatically take the prosecution’s side and who are willing to listen to both sides’ arguments. He or she may ask questions about the potential jurors’ life experiences, knowledge of the case, or previous opinions on the law. The defense lawyer can also challenge potential jurors for cause, meaning that the defense has concrete reasons to believe the juror will not be impartial in the trial. The prosecutor might ask questions designed to uncover potential biases in the jury. For instance, the prosecutor may ask if the jury member has ever been involved in a criminal case or if he or she has ever served on a jury before. The prosecutor might also challenge potential jurors for any number of reasons, such as connections to the defendant or opinions about the law. Both the prosecutor and the defense lawyer have the right to object to any potential juror and can reject a certain number of jurors before the final jury is chosen. This selection process is used to ensure that the jury will not be biased during the trial and will be able to objectively hear evidence and make the best decision possible.

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How do prosecutors and defense lawyers choose a jury in criminal defense law?

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