Opinion ID: 1829968
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Individualized, Sequestered Voir Dire

Text: Before trial, Hansen moved for individual sequestered voir dire examination of the prospective jurors. The Circuit Court deferred ruling on the motion and instead sent to all prospective jurors a questionnaire designed to elicit a wealth of information. The Court explained that, if thereafter there appeared a need to question individual jurors outside the presence of the others, such would be allowed. The Court never granted the motion. Rule 5.02, Miss.Unif.Crim.R.Cir.Ct. Prac. (1979) addresses the manner in which the court should conduct voir dire of prospective jurors. In the voir dire examination of jurors, the attorney shall direct to the entire venire questions only on matters not inquired into by the court. Individual jurors may be examined only when proper to inquire as to answers given or for other good cause allowed by the court... . We do not read Rule 5.02 as prohibiting a circuit court from utilizing individualized, sequestered voir dire. In its discretion, the court may allow it. Jones v. State, 461 So.2d 686, 692 (Miss. 1984). We have held, however, that Rule 5.02 does not require more than by its terms it requires. White v. State, 532 So.2d 1207, 1218 (Miss. 1988); Lutes v. State, 517 So.2d 541, 547 (Miss. 1987); West v. State, 463 So.2d 1048, 1054 (Miss. 1985); see Gilliard v. State, 462 So.2d 710, 714 (Miss. 1985). The Circuit Court was within its discretion in its handling of this matter. We decline reversal.