Section 7.7 Social or Business Relationship

• Library: Civil Trial Practice 2015 Supp

A. (§7.7) Social or Business Relationship

“A venireperson is not absolutely disqualified because she is personally or professionally acquainted with a party, or because she is acquainted with, or is a client of, an attorney in the case.” Sheffler v. Arana, 950 S.W.2d 259, 266 (Mo. App. W.D. 1997) (citation omitted). Friendship or acquaintance with a witness, in the absence of a showing of bias against one of the parties, is no grounds for a strike for cause. Meeker v. Shelter Mut. Ins. Co., 766 S.W.2d 733 (Mo. App. S.D. 1989); Scott v. Rorebeck, 766 S.W.2d 659 (Mo. App. W.D. 1989).

But a jury comprised of friends or acquaintances of one of the parties denies the opposing party the right to a fair and impartial jury. Dodson ex...