Opinion ID: 2384356
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Drawing of the venire

Text: Mr. Marshall argues that reversible error occurred due to the location of the jury selection box and the manner in which the names were selected from the box outside the jury selection room. The statutes he contends were violated are Ark.Code Ann. §§ 16-32-105 and 16-32-108 (Repl.1994). Section 16-32-105 provides that [a]t the time and place designated, the wheel or box shall be unlocked in open court. The statute further states that the circuit judge shall cause to be drawn the number of names... necessary.... Section 16-32-108 also refers to unlocking the box in open court. Mr. Marshall objected because the jury selection box was not present in the jury selection room. Mr. Marshall also objected to the fact that one of the Trial Court's clerks entered the jury selection room with four names which had been drawn from the box. According to his objection, Mr. Marshall desired the names to be drawn in the presence of the judge. First, it should be noted that § 16-32-105 provides only that the circuit judge shall cause the names to be drawn. The statute, on its face, does not require the presence of the judge when the names are drawn. The objection on this ground is baseless. Second, the statute requires that the names be drawn in open court. On page 60 of the record Mr. Marshall's attorney states, I am ... asking the court to ... place the juror potential list in this room ... and not to have that box out in the courtroom where there are members of the public.... The purpose of the statute is to ensure that the drawing of the names be open to the public. See Hall v. State, 259 Ark. 815, 537 S.W.2d 155 (1976). As the jury selection box was in the courtroom, the statute was not violated. The Trial Court attempted to understand the nature of the objection and finally concluded that there had been no allegation of jury tampering or improper procedure which could have prejudiced the accused. We have no reason to disagree with his assessment.