On the morning of jury selection, the parties will be given a copy of the list of potential jurors that is generated by the Clerk’s Office in random order. The entire venire will then enter the courtroom in that order, with the first fourteen jurors seated in the jury box, and the remaining prospective jurors seated in the gallery. The venire will be sworn after some introductory remarks by the judge. The prospective jurors in the jury box will then answer the questions contained in the juror questionnaire and any additional questions governing the case. Questioning will be conducted by the judge. Jurors will be given the opportunity to answer sensitive questions at sidebar if they wish. Once all questions have been asked of the first fourteen jurors, the judge will consult with the parties at sidebar as to additional follow-up questions and will complete questioning of that group. Challenges for cause will be heard at sidebar.

The remaining jurors, after the first fourteen, will be questioned in the same manner. After the venire has been questioned and all challenges for cause have been resolved, the parties will submit peremptory challenges in writing simultaneously. Each side will have three peremptory challenges. Multiple defendants or multiple plaintiffs will be considered a single side for purposes of making challenges. If both sides challenge the same juror, both sides will be charged for that challenge. Once peremptory challenges have been submitted, the challenged prospective jurors will be excused. Jurors will be seated in the order that they were questioned. The jury will ordinarily consist of eight jurors, but parties may request or agree to a larger number up to 12. There are no alternate jurors. All jurors seated will be allowed to deliberate.

Typical Juror Questionnaire