If there shall be impaneled, for the trial of any cause, any petit juror, who shall have been convicted of any crime which by law renders him disqualified to serve on a jury; or who has been arbitrator on either side, relating to the same controversy; or who has an interest in the cause; or who has an action pending between him and either party; or who has formerly been a juror in the same cause; or who is the employer, employee, counselor, agent, steward or attorney of either party; or who is subpoenaed as a witness; or who is of kin to either party; or any person who shall have served once already on a jury, as a talesman on the trial of any cause, in the same court during the term, he may be challenged for such causes; in either of which cases the same shall be considered as a principal challenge, and the validity thereof be tried by the court; and any petit juror who shall be returned upon the trial of any of the causes hereinbefore specified, against whom no principal cause of challenge can be alleged, may, nevertheless, be challenged on suspicion of prejudice against, or partiality for either party, or for want of competent knowledge of the English language, or any other cause that may render him, at the time, an unsuitable juror; but a resident and taxpayer of the state or any municipality therein shall not be thereby disqualified in actions in which such municipality is a party. The validity of all challenges shall be determined by the court.
§ 572.Causes For Challenging Jurors
Chapter 11: Trial · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 572 lists specific grounds -- disqualifying convictions, personal interest in the case, and ties to a party -- for a principal challenge to a juror, and lets a party challenge any juror on suspicion of prejudice or unsuitability, with the court deciding every challenge's validity.
Full Text of § 572
Amendment History
R.L. 1910, § 4997.
Plain-English Summary
The section lists a set of specific disqualifications that support what it calls a principal challenge: a disqualifying criminal conviction, having arbitrated the same controversy, holding an interest in the case, having a pending lawsuit against either party, having already served as a juror in the same cause, being an employer, employee, counselor, agent, steward, or attorney for a party, being subpoenaed as a witness, being related to a party, or having already served once that term as a talesman -- a substitute juror drawn in to fill out a panel -- in the same court. The validity of a principal challenge is a question the court decides.
Beyond those specific grounds, a party may also challenge a juror on suspicion of prejudice or partiality, for lack of competent knowledge of English, or for any other reason that would make the person an unsuitable juror at the time. The statute carves out one exception: being a resident and taxpayer of the state or a municipality doesn't disqualify a juror in a case where that municipality is a party. Whatever the ground, the court determines whether the challenge holds up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "principal" challenge to a juror in Oklahoma?
A challenge based on one of the specific disqualifications the statute lists, such as a disqualifying conviction, an interest in the case, or a family or employment tie to a party.
Can a juror be removed just on suspicion of bias, without a specific disqualifying fact?
Yes. The section separately allows a challenge on suspicion of prejudice or partiality, or for any other cause that would make the person unsuitable.
Does living in the same city as a defendant automatically disqualify a juror?
No. The statute specifically says a resident and taxpayer of the state or a municipality isn't disqualified in an action where that municipality is a party.
Who decides whether a challenge to a juror is valid?
The court determines the validity of every challenge, whether it's a principal challenge or one based on suspicion of prejudice.
Can someone who's already served as a talesman that term serve on another jury?
Having already served once as a talesman on a trial in the same court during the term is itself listed as a ground for a principal challenge.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: grounds to challenge a juror oklahomaprincipal challenge for cause oklahomajuror disqualification oklahomachallenge juror for prejudice oklahoma