Rule 434 – Jury Selection

May 11, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Illinois

(a) Impaneling Juries. In criminal cases the parties shall pass upon and accept the jury in panels of four, commencing with the State, unless the court, in its discretion, directs otherwise, and alternate jurors shall be passed upon separately.
(b) Names and Addresses of Prospective Jurors. Upon request, the parties shall be furnished with a list of prospective jurors with their addresses, if known.
(c) Challenging Prospective Jurors for Cause. Each party may challenge jurors for cause. If a prospective juror has a physical impairment, the court shall consider such prospective juror’s ability to perceive and appreciate the evidence when considering a challenge for cause.
(d) Peremptory Challenges. A defendant tried alone shall be allowed seven peremptory challenges in a case in which the punishment may be imprisonment in the penitentiary, and five in all other cases; except that, in a single trial of more than one defendant, each defendant shall be allowed five peremptory challenges, in a case in which the punishment may be imprisonment in the penitentiary, and three in all other cases. If several charges against a defendant or defendants are consolidated for trial, each defendant shall be allowed peremptory challenges upon one charge only, which single charge shall be the charge against that defendant authorizing the greatest maximum penalty. The State shall be allowed the same number of peremptory challenges as all of the defendants.
(e) Selection of Alternate Jurors. After the jury is impaneled and sworn the court may direct the selection of alternate jurors, who shall take the same oath as the regular jurors. Each party shall have one additional peremptory challenge for each alternate juror. If before the final submission of a cause a member of the jury dies or is discharged he shall be replaced by an alternate juror in the order of election.

Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 434

Adopted February 19, 1982, effective April 1, 1982; amended March 27, 1985, effective May 1, 1985; amended Feb. 6, 2013, eff. immediately.