A. In cases to be tried by jury, twelve jurors summoned in accordance with law shall be chosen by lot to try the issues specified unless the parties stipulate that the case shall be tried by six jurors. The method of calling and drawing by lot shall be at the discretion of the court. B. The parties may stipulate that if one or more jurors die or become disqualified the remaining jurors shall try the issues specified.
Art. 1761.Procedure In General
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title V. Trial · Chapter 7. Jury Trial · Enacted 1983 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1761 sets the default Louisiana civil jury at twelve members chosen by lot, unless the parties stipulate to a six-member jury, and lets the parties agree in advance that the case will proceed with fewer jurors if one or more die or become disqualified during trial.
Full Text of Art. 1761
Amendment History
Acts 1983, No. 534, §5.
Plain-English Summary
Article 1761 opens the voir dire chapter with the basic shape of a Louisiana civil jury. Twelve jurors, summoned according to law, are chosen by lot to try the specified issues — that is the default. The parties can shrink that number to six by stipulation, and the court has discretion over exactly how the calling and drawing by lot is carried out.
Paragraph B addresses a risk that runs through any jury trial of some length: what happens if a juror dies or becomes disqualified before the case is over. Article 1761 lets the parties stipulate in advance that the remaining jurors will try the case to conclusion rather than forcing a mistrial. That stipulation is optional and works alongside, not instead of, the alternate-juror device in Article 1769, which lets the court empanel backup jurors from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many jurors sit on a Louisiana civil jury?
Twelve by default, or six if the parties stipulate to a smaller jury.
How are jurors chosen for the panel?
They are chosen by lot from those summoned in accordance with law, with the court controlling the method of calling and drawing.
What happens if a juror dies or is disqualified mid-trial?
If the parties stipulated in advance under Article 1761(B), the case proceeds with the remaining jurors; otherwise the court may rely on an alternate juror empanelled under Article 1769.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: Louisiana civil jury sizetwelve person jury Louisianasix person jury stipulation LouisianaArticle 1761 Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure