A bill that would let attorneys reject potential jurors for almost any reason is moving to the House floor for a vote. The measure would overturn a state Supreme Court rule from 2021.
The high court had blocked lawyers from making peremptory challenges. The tactic can be used to strike someone from a jury pool if an attorney believes they won’t see the case in a way beneficial to their client.
This new bill would allow an equal number of strikes to each side in civil cases. Though there would be some limits.
Marc Osborn, a lobbyist who represents multiple insurance companies, spoke before a House Committee.
“If the other side thinks there’s an issue with the reason why you’re challenging, they can do what’s called the Batson challenge and say well if you think its for racial or other reasons, then the judge can say ‘that challenge is not accepted.’ So the judge has a lot of control," Osborn said.
It is not clear if such a bill to overrule the Supreme Court policy is constitutional.
