Section 7.5 Generally

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

1. (§7.5) Generally

There is no common or inherent right to peremptory challenges of jurors. Ward v. City Nat’l Bank & Trust Co. of Kansas City, 379 S.W.2d 614, 616 (Mo. 1964); Adair v. N.W. Elec. Power Coop., Inc., 329 S.W.2d 33, 36 (Mo. App. W.D. 1959). The right to peremptory challenges is purely statutory and, in civil trials, is governed by § 494.480.1, RSMo 2000, which states:

In trials of civil causes each party shall be entitled to peremptorily challenge three jurors. When there are multiple plaintiffs or defendants, all plaintiffs and all defendants...