Jury Selection and Voir Dire

• Author: Mark G. Daniel/Robert K. Gill
• Pages: 473-554

14-1

Chapter 14

Jury Selection and Voir Dire

Table of Contents

§14:10 Composition of Venire

§14:11 Statutory Law

§14:12 In General

§14:13 Challenges to Array

§14:13.1 Form: Sample Motion/Challenge to Array

§14:14 Writs of Attachment

§14:14.1 Form: Motion for Attachment of Absent Jurors

§14:15 Juror Exemptions

§14:16 Additional Veniremembers

§14:17 Number of Jurors

§14:18 Alternate Jurors

§14:19 Disabled Jurors

§14:19.1 Sufficient Disability to Be Excused

§14:19.2 Insufficient Disability to Be Excused

§14:20 Juror Qualifications

§14:21 Preliminary Testing of Qualifications

§14:30 Juror Disqualifications

§14:31 What Constitutes Absolute Disqualification

§14:31.1 Theft Convictions

§14:31.2 Pending Theft Cases

§14:31.3 Felony Convictions

§14:31.4 Pending Felony Cases

§14:31.5 Insanity

§14:32 Disqualified Jurors

§14:33 Reversals Due to Disqualified Jurors

§14:40 Jury Shuffles

§14:41 In General

§14:42 Timing of Motion

§14:43 Opportunity to View Venire

TEXAS CRIMINAL LAWYER’S HANDBOOK 14-2

§14:44 Opportunity to View Jury Questionnaires

§14:45 Appellate Review

§14:46 Form: Sample Motion to Shuffle Venire

§14:50 Voir Dire Subject Matter

§14:51 Statutory Law

§14:52 In General

§14:52.1 Form: Sample Juror Questionnaire

§14:52.2 Form: Motion to Submit Jury Questionnaire

§14:53 Particular Inquiries Allowed

§14:53.1 Explanations of Law

§14:53.1.1 Misstatements of Law

§14:53.2 Punishment Inquiries

§14:53.3 Inquiries on Status of Victim or Witness

§14:53.4 Inquiries Into Status and Attitudes of Veniremembers

§14:53.5 Inquiries Based on Situational Status of Witness

§14:54 Means of Making Inquiry

§14:54.1 Type of Question Permitted

§14:55 Mechanics of Voir Dire

§14:56 Preserving Error

§14:56.1 Preserving Error Where Proper Inquiry Disallowed

§14:56.2 Preserving Error for Improper Inquiry by State

§14:57 Restrictions on Voir Dire

§14:57.1 In General

§14:57.2 Permissible Voir Dire Restrictions

§14:57.2.1 Questions and Areas Subject to Restriction

§14:57.2.1.1 Confusing, Repetitious, Broad and Vague

Questions

§14:57.2.1.2 Commitment Questions

§14:57.2.1.2.1 Improper Commit ment Questions

§14:57.2.1.2.2 Proper Commitment Questions

§14:57.2.1.2.3 Non-Commitment Questions

§14:57.2.1.3 Questions in Improper Form

§14:57.2.1.4 Preserving Error of Improper Question by State

§14:57.2.2 Subject Matter That May Be Restricted

§14:57.2.2.1 Inquiries on Incorrect Law

§14:57.2.2.2 Definitions of Legally Undefined Terms

§14:57.2.2.3 Factual Matters

§14:57.3 Time Restrictions

§14:57.3.1 In General

§14:57.3.2 Relevant Factors

§14:57.3.3 Preserving Error for Improper Time Restriction

§14:57.3.4 Form for Additional Time

14-3 JURY SELECTION AND VOIR DIRE

§14:60 Challenges for Cause

§14:61 Statutory Law

§14:62 In General

§14:63 Basis for Challenges for Cause

§14:64 Bias or Prejudice as Matter of Law

§14:64.1 Bias and Prejudice Defined

§14:64.2 Bias and Prejudice Established

§14:64.3 Bias and Prejudice Not Established

§14:65 Substantial Impairment Test

§14:66 Vacillating Veniremember

§14:67 Predicate for Challenge for Cause

§14:68 Areas of Proper Challenge for Cause

§14:68.1 Challenges for Cause by State or Defendant

§14:68.1.1 Bias Against Class of Witnesses

§14:68.1.2 Failure to Consider Punishment Range

§14:68.1.3 Relationship With Party or Witness

§14:68.2 Challenges for Cause by Defendant

§14:68.2.1 Preservation of Error for Denial of Defense Challenges for

Cause

§14:68.3 Challenges for Cause by State

§14:68.3.1 Challenges Where Beyond Reasonable Doubt Not Enough

§14:68.3.2 Preserving Error for Erroneous Granting of State’s Challenge

for Cause

§14:70 Sua Sponte Excusals

§14:71 Applicable Statute

§14:72 In General

§14:73 Permissible Reasons for Sua Sponte Excusal

§14:74 Timing of Sua Sponte Excusal

§14:75 Preserving Error for Sua Sponte Excusal

§14:80 Trial Court Questioning of Venire

§14:81 Comments by Trial Court in Front of Venire

§14:81.1 In General

§14:81.2 Comments That Are Not Error

§14:81.3 Comments That Are Error

§14:81.4 Complaints About Court’s Questions or Comments

§14:90 Use of Information From Veniremembers

§14:91 Material Information

§14:92 Defendant’s Burden

§14:93 Personal Information About Jurors and Juror Privacy Considerations