no unlimited challenges
O.C.G.A. 15-12-122 controls jury selection and peremptory challenges. Generally attorneys receive 3 peremptory challenges for a six person jury (case valued under $25,000.00) and 6 peremptory challenges for a twelve person jury.
The number peremptory challenges that are given to attorneys is based on the type of murder trial it is. If it is a capital case, or the prosecution is seeking the death penalty, a total of twenty peremptory challenges is given. In all other cases associated with causing the death of another, either by murder or manslaughter, the government is allowed six peremptory challenges while the defense is allowed ten.
Not enough information is given. The number of challenges can vary state-to-state and also according to varying factors such as the type of case.
A third type of challenge is called peremptory. This challenge removes potential jurors without the necessity for providing a reason. These types of challenges are limited to a predetermined set of numbers. In 1986, in Batson vs. Kentucky, the Supreme Court decided that peremptory challenges could not be used to discriminate solely based on race. The rule established was that it must be shown that the defendant is a member of a recognized racial group that has been intentionally excluded from the jury and the need to raise a reasonable suspicion that the opposing side used peremptory challenges in a manner that was discriminatory.
768.12 Peremptory challenge; offense not punishable by death or life imprisonment; number.Sec. 12.(1) A person who is put on trial for an offense that is not punishable by death or life imprisonment shall be allowed to challenge peremptorily 5 of the persons drawn to serve as jurors. In a case involving 2 or more defendants who are being jointly tried for an offense that is not punishable by death or life imprisonment, each of the defendants shall be allowed to challenge peremptorily 5 persons returned as jurors. The prosecuting officers on behalf of the people shall be allowed to challenge 5 jurors peremptorily if a defendant is being tried alone or, if defendants are tried jointly, shall be allowed the total number of peremptory challenges to which all the defendants are entitled.(2) On motion and a showing of good cause, the court may grant 1 or more of the parties an increased number of peremptory challenges. The number of additional peremptory challenges the court grants may cause the various parties to have unequal numbers of peremptory challenges.
This is a "peremptory challenge." Court rules usually give each attorney a limited number of peremptory challenges. The other type of challenge is a challenge for cause, meaning there is some good cause for dismissing the juror. Cause can mean being related to or knowing one of the parties, being opposed to the death penalty in capital cases or anything that will prevent a juror from freely and fairly rendering a just verdict in the case at hand. Court rules give an unlimited number of challenges for cause.
When selecting a jury, either party can make an unlimited number of challenges to potential jurors for cause. For example, if a proposed juror was a the brother of the defendant, the juror would be challenged the judge would excuse the juror because it would be unfair to have him on the jury. To challenge a proposed juror for cause, the party has to tell the judge why it would be unfair to seat that juror and the judge may accept or reject the challenge. Each party also has a set number of peremptory challenges, the party excludes the juror without cause and the judge has no say. For example, if the defendant is a school teacher, you might not want another school teacher to be on the jury but you don't have any evidence that it would be unfair. While there are few limits to peremptory challenges, they cannot be used to create a discriminatory jury. For example, if the defendant is Hispanic, you cannot use all of your peremptory challenges to eliminate all the potential Hispanic jurors.
The judge issued a peremptory challenge to dismiss the potential juror without needing to provide a reason.
While not all encompassing, Race (the Batson test) and Sex (extension of Batson; J.E.B. v Alabama) cannot be used as the basis of any form of strike (peremptory or not).
Voir direAdded: The process is known as Voire Dire, the challenges referred to in the question are known as Peremptory Challenges.
MCLA 768.13. Peremptory challenge; offense punishable by death or life imprisonment; number. Sec. 13. (1) A person who is being tried alone for an offense punishable by death or imprisonment for life, shall be allowed to challenge peremptorily 12 of the persons drawn to serve as jurors. In a case punishable by death or imprisonment for life that involves 2 or more defendants, a defendant shall be allowed the following number of peremptory challenges: (a) Two defendants - 10 each. (b) Three defendants - 9 each. (c) Four defendants - 8 each. (d) Five or more defendants - 7 each.
Her peremptory command startled the children.