IMPLEMENTING NEW YORK'S CIVIL VOIR DIRE LAW AND RULES

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Message from the Chief Administrative Judge As part of our continuing efforts to improve the jury system, we have prepared this guide to implementing New York law and rules for jury selection in civil trials. The purpose of this booklet is to provide an overview of the many legal and administrative requirements governing procedures for civil voir dire, including judicial supervision, selection methodologies, questioning of jurors and juror challenges. In addition, this booklet sets forth recommended approaches or “best practices” for ensuring that jury selection is conducted in a fair and efficient manner that balances the needs of courts, jurors and counsel. It is aimed both at achieving consistency in the implementation of applicable rules and honoring regional differences in practice. For the last fifteen years, New York’s judges and lawyers have led the nation in implementing reforms to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of our jury system. This booklet seeks to build on this outstanding partnership. I encourage you to visit us at www.nycourts.gov/ to obtain additional copies of this guide and to learn more about New York’s jury improvement efforts. Hon. Ann Pfau Chief Administrative Judge January 12, 2009
IMPLEMENTING NEW YORK’S CIVIL VOIR DIRE LAW AND RULES TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction and Overview............................................. 3 II. Working with jurors.................................................. 4 A. Get the jurors interested in the process.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 B. Thank the jurors................................................. 4 C. Assure jurors that their privacy will be protected. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 D. Describe the case to jurors at the outset.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 E. Explain the role of the judge or JHO................................. 4 III. What does judicial supervision of civil voir dire involve?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A. Discussing with counsel the voir dire process and procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1. Who will introduce the case to the jurors?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2. Logistics of jury selection. .................................. 5 B. Being readily available to hear challenges for cause.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 C. Checking with counsel on the progress of voir dire.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 IV. The role of court and commissioner of jurors staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 V. Selecting the jury..................................................... 7 A. Number of jurors and alternates..................................... 7 B. General questions for cause........................................ 7 C. Challenges..................................................... 8 1. Consent of parties. ........................................ 8 2. Peremptory challenges...................................... 8 a. Number. .......................................... 8 b. Additional. ........................................ 8 c. Exercise........................................... 8 3. Challenges for cause. ...................................... 8 4. Making objections. ........................................ 9 D. Method of selection.............................................. 9 1. White’s.................................................. 9 2. Struck.................................................. 10 Implementing Civil Voir Dire Law and Rules January 2009 Page 1
Page 1: IMPLEMENTING NEW YORK’S CIVIL VOI
Page 5 and 6: I. Introduction and Overview The pu
Page 7 and 8: III. What does judicial supervision
Page 9 and 10: V. Selecting the jury Jury selectio
Page 11 and 12: 4. Making objections. Objections sh
Page 13 and 14: necessary to have 16 ‘cause-free
Page 15 and 16: E. Length of trial Court rules allo
Page 17 and 18: Appendix A Introductions by Judges
Page 19 and 20: Introducing Voir Dire Before any qu
Page 21: A ppendix B Juror Questionnaire (UC
Page 24 and 25: Appendix D Guidelines for Assessing
Page 26 and 27: Appendix E Civil Procedure Law and
Page 28 and 29: Appendix F Uniform Civil Rules For
Page 30 and 31: (8) If counsel objects to anything
Page 32: y the parties (such sum shall be re

IMPLEMENTING NEW YORK'S CIVIL VOIR DIRE LAW AND RULES

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