22-3410. Challenges for cause.
(1) Each party may challenge any prospective juror for cause. Challenges for cause shall be tried by the court.
(2) A juror may be challenged for cause on any of the following grounds:
(a) He is related to the defendant, or a person alleged to have been injured by the crime charged or the person on whose complaint the prosecution was begun, by consanguinity within the sixth degree, or is the spouse of any person so related.
(b) He is attorney, client, employer, employee, landlord, tenant, debtor, creditor or a member of the household of the defendant or a person alleged to have been injured by the crime charged or the person on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted.
(c) He is or has been a party adverse to the defendant in a civil action, or has complained against or been accused by him in a criminal prosecution.
(d) He has served on the grand jury which returned the indictment or on a coroner’s jury which inquired into the death of a person whose death is the subject of the indictment or information, or on any other investigatory body which inquired into the facts of the crime charged.
(e) He was a juror at a former trial of the same cause.
(f) He was a juror in a civil action against the defendant arising out of the act charged as a crime.
(g) He was a witness to the act or acts alleged to constitute the crime.
(h) He occupies a fiduciary relationship to the defendant or a person alleged to have been injured by the crime or the person on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted.
(i) His state of mind with reference to the case or any of the parties is such that the court determines there is doubt that he can act impartially and without prejudice to the substantial rights of any party.
(3) All challenges for cause must be made before the jury is sworn to try the case.
History: L. 1970, ch. 129, § 22-3410; July 1.