Opinion ID: 2022193
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Criminal Background Checks

Text: Saylor contends he is entitled to a new trial because the State conducted criminal background checks on potential jurors. When Saylor became aware that the State may have been using this information in questioning potential jurors, Saylor asked the court to discharge all jurors previously selected or to declare a mistrial. The trial court denied Saylor's motion but stated that it would entertain a discovery request by Saylor for the information. The record does not disclose any such discovery request. Saylor's contention fails for two reasons. First, he does not cite authority from any jurisdiction to support his argument. Ind. Appellate Rule 8.3(A)(7). Second, and more importantly, he fails to explain how the State's use of the criminal background checks prejudiced his interests. The State noted that no juror had been challenged due to its record checks. Rather it had relied upon information provided on the juror questionnaires and gained during voir dire to challenge the jurors. Furthermore, Saylor's assertion that he was denied due process because the State had access to information not available to him is similarly unpersuasive. The trial court stated that it was willing to entertain a discovery request for the information, thereby alleviating any prosecutorial advantage. In light of the above factors, we find no error here.