Rule 47.Jurors

Rule 47(a) puts voir dire in the Court's hands: the Court alone examines prospective jurors unless it directs otherwise. Either attorney can ask the Court to inquire into particular matters, and the Court will do so if it considers the subject a proper one. Voir dire into a juror's contact with prospective witnesses is freely granted, and any questions an attorney wants asked have to be submitted in writing before the jury draw begins.

Rule 47(b) lets the Court impanel up to 6 alternate jurors alongside the regular jury. Alternates step in, in the order they were called, for jurors who become unable or are found disqualified to serve before the jury retires to deliberate; any alternate never called on is discharged once deliberations begin. Alternates are drawn the same way as regular jurors, meet the same qualifications, are examined and challenged the same way, take the same oath, and share the same powers and privileges. Impaneling alternates comes with extra peremptory challenges usable only against alternates — 1 additional challenge for 1 or 2 alternates, 2 for 3 or 4, and 3 for 5 or 6 — while the peremptory challenges otherwise allowed by law can't be used against an alternate.

Rule 47(c) gives each party 3 peremptory challenges. Multiple defendants or multiple plaintiffs can be treated as a single party for this purpose, or the Court can allow additional challenges and let them be exercised separately or jointly. The Court can also grant additional peremptory challenges for good cause, but a request for more has to come before the jury draw begins, or by whatever earlier deadline the Court sets.