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(314) 500-HURTThe cornerstone of our judicial system lies upon the constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury, composed of
twelve qualified jurors. Williams v. Barnes Hosp., 736 S.W.2d 33, 36 (Mo. Banc 1987). It is fundamental that jurors
should be thoroughly impartial. Kendall v. Prudential Inc. Co., 327 S. W. 2d 174, 177 (Mo. 1959).
700 years ago the Magna Carta guaranteed a person could not be punished without “the lawful judgment of his peers.”
Voir dire literally means “to speak the truth”.
It’s when lawyers ask questions of prospective jurors to get “A fair cross section of the citizens of the county for
which the jury may be impaneled.” Many think that its really to get only good jurors for a lawyer’s client – which has
some truth but the process does achieve a balanced jury.
The purpose of voir dire is to ferret out any bias or prejudice of potential jurors. State v. Ball, 622 S.W.2d 285, 287
(Mo. App. 1981).
Jurors have to be:
“The right to unbiased and unprejudiced jurors is an inseparable and inalienable part of the right to a trial by jury
guaranteed by the Constitution. A state of mind in a juror evincing bias to either party is a ground for challenge.”
Kendall, 327 S.W.2d at 177.
To be meaningful, the constitution “contemplates twelve [fair and] impartial qualified jurors.”
People can be excused from jury service under R.S.Mo. 494.430 because they:
Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO
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