Peremptory Challenge

/pəˈrɛmp.tər.i ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A defendant's or attorney's objection to a prospective juror, made without stating a reason, used to exclude jurors believed to be unfavorable.
    The lawyer used a peremptory challenge to dismiss the juror without providing a cause.

Forms

  • peremptory challenges

Commentary

Peremptory challenges are limited in number and cannot be used to exclude jurors on discriminatory grounds as ruled in Batson v. Kentucky.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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Amicus Docs | Peremptory Challenge Definition