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Rule 633 – Examination and Challenges of Alternate Trial Jurors

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Pennsylvania

(A) The trial judge may direct that a reasonable even number of jurors in addition to the principal jurors be called and impaneled to sit as alternate jurors.
(B) When alternate jurors are selected in trials involving only one defendant, the defendant and the Commonwealth shall each be entitled to one peremptory challenge for each 2 alternate jurors to be selected. When alternate jurors are selected in trials involving joint defendants, each defendant shall be entitled to one peremptory challenge for each two 2 alternate jurors to be selected and the Commonwealth shall be entitled to peremptory challenges equal in number to the total number of peremptory challenges given to all of the defendants. All peremptory challenges remaining unexercised after the selection of the principal 12 jurors shall be considered exhausted, and in no case may the challenges reserved for the selection of alternates be added to the number allowed during the selection of the principal 12.
(C) Alternate jurors shall be examined, challenged, and selected in the same manner as the principal jurors.

234 Pa. Code ยง 633

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1477 (March 18, 2000).