Opinion ID: 867478
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Administer Questionnaire

Text: ¶ 93 Moody claims that the trial court erred both by refusing to administer his proposed jury questionnaire and by giving a factually incorrect reason for doing so. On the first point, we note that there is no right to use jury questionnaires in Arizona. Rule 18.5(d) of Arizona's Rules of Criminal Procedure commands the court to conduct a thorough oral examination of prospective jurors and, upon request of a party, requires the court to permit that party a reasonable time to conduct a further oral examination of the prospective jurors. Nothing in the language of Rule 18.5, however, creates a right to use jury questionnaires. See State v. Davolt, 207 Ariz. 191, 207, ¶ 52, 84 P.3d 456, 472 (2004); State v. Canez, 202 Ariz. 133, 148, ¶ 37, 42 P.3d 564, 579 (2002). Rather, whether to permit the use of jury questionnaires is a decision committed to the sound discretion of the court. Canez, 202 Ariz. at 148, ¶ 37, 42 P.3d at 579. We will not disturb the trial court's selection of the jury in the absence of a showing that a jury of fair and impartial jurors was not chosen. Walden, 183 Ariz. at 607, 905 P.2d at 986 (quoting State v. Tison, 129 Ariz. 546, 551, 633 P.2d 355, 360 (1981)). Moody fails to show either an abuse of discretion or that the jury selected was not fair and impartial. ¶ 94 Moody's second argument regarding the questionnaire is that the trial court's stated reason for rejecting the written questions was factually incorrect, i.e., that it never intended to give a written questionnaire. He cites State v. Chapple, 135 Ariz. 281, 297, 660 P.2d 1208, 1224 (1983), in support of his arguments. In Chapple, however, we concluded not that the trial judge gave a factually incorrect reason for precluding an expert witness, but rather that he came to an incorrect legal conclusion. Id. Chapple therefore provides no support for Moody's position, and Moody makes no other legal argument in support of his contention. Moreover, Moody does not show where in the record the trial judge stated that he would give a questionnaire. In sum, Moody has not established any grounds for reversal on this point.