The Court s copies of questionnaires shall be returned to the Court immediately upon the completion of trial. Under no circumstances may counsel or a party retain any questionnaires or copies of questionnaires. Neither counsel nor the parties will be permitted to question prospective jurors as to matters contained in the questionnaire, but are permitted to ask follow-up questions concerning such information. The Court shall conduct a preliminary voir dire examination concerning basic and relevant matters, and counsel shall be permitted a reasonable period of time to question panel members. No promises may be elicited from jurors.
Questions are to be asked collectively of the panel whenever possible.
In the event there exists a potential for sensitive or potentially invasive questions, the Court or the parties may request a hearing preceding voir dire to consider these questions. In all cases, voir dire shall be held on the record, but may be conducted outside the presence of other jurors in order to protect juror privacy, or to avoid juror embarrassment. If it is determined by the Court during the voir dire process that an individual is unable or unwilling to sit in a particular cause fairly and impartially, the individual shall be removed from the panel. Such a motion for removal for cause may be made by counsel, a party if unrepresented, or upon motion of the Court. Peremptory Challenges Peremptory challenges shall be exercised alternatively as presently established by Section 2945.23, Ohio Revised Code, and Civil Rule 47, and Criminal Rule 24, unless prior to trial the parties agree on the record to another method.