Opinion ID: 1663395
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: preliminary voir dire instruction

Text: The attorneys and I will be asking you questions to help us decide which of you will serve as jurors in this case. The questions are asked to determine if your decision in this case might be influenced by some personal experience or special knowledge that you have concerning the subject of this trial, the parties, witnesses, or attorneys or by opinions that you now hold. It is not unusual for people to have strong feelings about certain subjects or to identify with or feel some partiality toward one side or the other. However, it would be a violation of your oath as prospective jurors to fail to answer truthfully and as completely as possible our questions about such matters. Please understand that these questions are not meant to embarrass you or to pry into your personal affairs. They are intended to obtain a fair and impartial jury to try this case. It is your duty to answer completely and truthfully all of the questions that will be asked of you. Any failure to answer truthfully and completely may require this case to end in a mistrial or to be tried again. (At the beginning of voir dire, the court should tell prospective jurors about the nature of the case and the date and place of the occurrence. The parties and their attorneys should be introduced. Potential witnesses may be named. The court may wish to give jurors additional information about the trial or court procedures.) The attorneys and I will now ask you questions to help us select jurors for this case. We want to know if some personal experience or special knowledge might influence your decision. We also want to know if your personal opinions might affect your decision. Please understand that these questions are not meant to embarrass you or to pry into your personal affairs. People often have strong feelings that they may be reluctant to disclose, but you have sworn in this case to answer all questions truthfully and completely and you must do so. If you do not understand a question, raise your hand or ask for an explanation. Remaining silent when you have information to disclose is as much a violation of your oath as making a false statement. A violation of your oath to tell the whole truth would be very serious and could result in civil and criminal penalties against you.