Jury Selection and Voir Dire

• Author: Robert Gill/Mark G. Daniel
• Pages: 45-90

14-1

CHAPTER 14

JURY SELECTIONAND

VOIR DIRE

I. Challenging the Venire

§14:01Statutory Law

§14:02Grounds for Challenge

§14:03Burden of Proof

§14:04Procedure for Challenge

II.Attaching Absent Veniremen

§14:10 Statutory Law

§14:11 Defendant’s Burden of Proof

§14:12 Procedure for Motion

III. Disqualified and Disabled Veniremen

A.Absolutely Disqualified Jurors

§14:20Statutory Law

§14:21Grounds for Disqualification

§14:22Waiver of Grounds

§14:23Conviction as a Ground for Disqualification

§14:24Pending Case as a Ground for Disqualification

§14:25Insanity as a Ground for Disqualification

§14:26Other Grounds for Disqualification

B.Disabled Jurors and Alternate Jurors

§14:30Statutory Law

§14:31Juror Must Be Unable to Perform as a Juror

TEXAS CRIMINAL FORMS 14-2

IV.Shuffling the Venire

§14:40 Statutory Law

§14:41Procedure for Motion to Shuffle

§14:42Right to Reshuffle

V. Jury Questionnaires

§14:50 Questionnaires Are Important

VI.Conducting Voir Dire

A. Examining the Jury

§14:55Individual Voir Dire Examinations

B.Additional Time to Conduct Voir Dire

§14:60 Time Limits Are Within Discretion of the Court

§14:61Factors for Abuse of Discretion

§14:62 Procedure to Preserve Error

C.Seeking Additional Peremptory Challenges

§14:70 Statutory Law

§14:71Procedure to Preserve Error

VII.Assembling a Special Venire

§14:80 Statutory Law

VIII.Instructions to Jurors for Note-Taking

§14:90 Arguments Against Note-Taking

§14:91Arguments in Favor of Note-Taking

IX. Forms

Form 14-1Challenge to the Array

Form 14-2Motion for Attachment of Absent Veniremen

Form 14-3Order to Attach Venireman

Form 14-4Motion to Disqualify Veniremen

Form 14-5.1Motion to Excuse Disabled Juror

Form 14-5.2 (Defendant’s or State’s) Motion to Exclude Alternate Juror From Deliberations

Form 14-6Motion to Shuffle Jury

Form 14-7Juror Questionnaire; Non-Capital Cases

Form 14-8Jury Questionnaire; Capital Cases

Form 14-9.1Motion to Submit Jury Questionnaire

Form 14-9.2Defendant’s Brief in Support of Motion to Submit Jury Questionnaire

Form 14-9.3 Motion to Produce Records of Prior Jury Service and in the Alternative to Allow

Inquiry into Prior Jury Service

Form 14-9.4 Motion to Produce Criminal History Records of Veniremen and in the Alternative

to Allow Inquiry into Criminal History

Form 14-10.1 Motion for Individual Voir Dire Examination of Veniremembers (Non-Capital Case)

Form 14-10.2 Motion for Individual Voir Dire Examination of Veniremembers (Capital Case)

Form 14-11Motion for Additional Time to Conduct Voir Dire

Form 14-12Defendant’s Brief in Support of Motion for Additional Time to Conduct Voir Dire

Form 14-13.1Motion for Additional Peremptory Challenges

Form 14-13.2 Motion to Require State to Exercise Challenges Pursuant To Art. 35.13

Form 14-14Peremptory Challenge Submission

Form 14-15Peremptory Challenge Tally Form for Capital Cases

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Form 14-16.1Defendant’s Motion for Special Venire

Form 14-16.2 Defendant’s Motion for the Court to Decide Juror’s Exemptions, Excuses and

Disqualifications Pursuant to Art. 35.03

Form 14-17Writ to Summon Special Venire

Form 14-18Writ to Serve Defendant Jury List

Form 14-19Jury Instruction on Note-Taking (Upon Impaneling)

Form 14-20Jury Instruction on Note-Taking (For Jury Charges)