Alternate juror

Alternate Juror

An alternate juror is a member of a jury who is selected in the same manner as a regular juror and hears the evidence in a court case just as a regular juror does, but does not participate in the deliberations unless called upon to replace a regular juror.

Selection

Alternate jurors are selected during the jury selection process, also known as voir dire. They are chosen in the same manner as regular jurors, undergoing questioning by the judge and the attorneys for both sides. The purpose of this questioning is to determine if they can be fair and impartial, and if they have any knowledge of the case or any personal involvement that might affect their judgment.

Role

The role of an alternate juror is to replace a regular juror if that juror is unable to continue serving, for reasons such as illness, personal emergency, or being dismissed by the judge for cause. Until they are called upon to serve, alternate jurors do not participate in the jury deliberations. They are, however, required to follow the same rules as the regular jurors, such as not discussing the case with anyone outside the jury and not reading or listening to news reports about the case.

Controversy

The use of alternate jurors has been a subject of controversy. Critics argue that it is unfair to the alternates, who sit through the trial but do not have the opportunity to participate in the deliberations unless a regular juror is unable to continue. Some jurisdictions have addressed this issue by allowing alternates to participate in deliberations, but without a vote, unless they replace a regular juror.

See also

• Jury
• Jury selection
• Voir dire
• Judge