Notwithstanding other methods authorized by law, the trial judge may direct in his discretion that a jury in a civil case be selected in the following manner:
§ 575.1.Selection of Jury In Discretion of Court - Manner
Chapter 11: Trial · Last amended April 24, 1969 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 575.1 lets a trial judge seat eighteen prospective jurors for a twelve-person jury, or twelve for a six-person jury, question them on voir dire, then have each side alternately strike three names until the right number remains.
Full Text of § 575.1
(a) if the case be triable to a twelve-man jury, eighteen prospective jurors shall be called and seated in the box and then examined on voir dire; when eighteen such prospective jurors have been passed for cause, each side of the lawsuit shall exercise its peremptory challenges out of the hearing of the jury by alternately striking three names from the list of those so passed for cause, and the remaining twelve persons shall be sworn to try the case;
(b) if the case be triable to a six-man jury, twelve prospective jurors shall be called and seated in the box and then examined on voir dire; when twelve such prospective jurors have been passed for cause, each side of the lawsuit shall exercise its peremptory challenges out of the hearing of the jury by alternately striking three names from the list of those so passed for cause, and the remaining six persons shall be sworn to try the case.
If there be more than one defendant in the case, and the trial judge determines on motion that there is a serious conflict of interest between them, he may, in his discretion, allow each defendant to strike three names from the list of jurors seated and passed for cause. In such case he shall appropriately increase the number of jurors initially called and seated in the box for voir dire examination.
Amendment History
Laws 1969, SB 275, c. 252, § 1, emerg. eff. 4/24/1969.
Plain-English Summary
This is an optional selection method a trial judge may choose instead of other authorized procedures. For a case triable to a twelve-person jury, eighteen prospective jurors are called and seated in the box, then examined on voir dire. Once all eighteen have been passed for cause, each side exercises its peremptory challenges out of the jury's hearing, alternately striking three names from the list of those passed for cause, leaving the twelve who are sworn to try the case.
For a case triable to a six-person jury, the same process runs with twelve prospective jurors instead of eighteen, again with each side alternately striking three names once all twelve are passed for cause, leaving six to be sworn. If more than one defendant is in the case and the trial judge finds, on motion, a serious conflict of interest between them, the judge may let each defendant strike three names from the list of jurors passed for cause, increasing the number initially called and seated to accommodate the extra strikes.
Section 556.1 sets which cases get a twelve-person jury and which get six; Sections 572 through 574 supply the general challenge rules this method builds on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this jury-selection method mandatory in every Oklahoma civil trial?
No. The statute says the trial judge "may direct in his discretion" that a jury be selected this way; it's an option alongside other authorized methods.
How many prospective jurors get called for a twelve-person jury under this method?
Eighteen, seated in the box and examined on voir dire before challenges begin.
Are peremptory strikes made in front of the jury?
No. Each side exercises its peremptory challenges out of the jury's hearing.
What happens if there's more than one defendant and they have a serious conflict of interest?
In the six-person jury process, the judge may, on motion, let each defendant strike three names instead of the defense side sharing three strikes, increasing the number of jurors initially called to make room.
How does the process differ for a six-person jury?
Twelve prospective jurors are called and seated instead of eighteen, but the voir dire and alternating-strike procedure otherwise works the same way, leaving six jurors sworn instead of twelve.
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: oklahoma jury selection method eighteen jurorsvoir dire strike procedure oklahomaperemptory challenge multiple defendants oklahoma12 O.S. § 575.1