Court Opinion

ID: 9728886
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:18:11.776842+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:52.673188
License: Public Domain

PASHMAN, J.,
dissenting in part.
I concur in Parts I, II and III of the majority opinion. I respectfully dissent, however, from Part IV of that opinion which holds that the trial judge properly refused to question prospective jurors on voir dire examination as to their connections with insurance companies.
Although N.J.S.A. 2A:78-4 and R. 1:8 -3(a) afford the trial judge board discretion in controlling the scope of voir dire examination, see State v. Manley, 54 N.J. 259, 281-283 (1969); cl. State v. McCombs, 81 N.J. 373, 379 (Pashman, J., concurring), I believe that the court below mistakenly exercised that discretion in refusing to ask the questions relating to insurance. By upholding this result, the majority has subverted the fundamental purpose of voir dire examination: “to elicit information for the purpose of determining whether or not to interpose a peremptory challenge, and of disclosing whether or not there is a cause for challenge.” N.J.S.A. 2A:78~4.
The majority has prevented these and all plaintiffs from discovering a source of bias that is potentially present in nearly all tort litigation. They are thus denied an essential aid for making successful challenges for cause and for intelligently exercising peremptory challenges. This denial carries severe implications for a plaintiff’s right to have his cause tried by an *350impartial jury. It also impermissibly impinges upon the plaintiff’s ability to utilize effectively his peremptory challenges. Although not constitutionally based, see State v. Singletary, 80 N.J. 55, 62 (1979), the right of peremptory challenge has been granted by the Legislature and this Court to insure that the triers of fact will be “as nearly impartial ‘as the lot of humanity will admit.’ ” State v. Jackson, 43 N.J. 148, 158 (1964), cert. den. sub nom. Ravenell v. New Jersey, 379 U.S. 982, 85 S.Ct. 690, 13 L.Ed.2d 572 (1965) (quoting State v. White, 105 N.H. 159, 196 A.2d 33, 34 (Sup.Ct.1963), cert. den. 379 U.S. 854, 85 S.Ct. 103, 13 L.Ed.2d 57 (1964)); see N.J.S.A. 2A:78-7(a); R. l:8~3(c). “The denial of the right of peremptory challenge is the denial of a substantial right.” Wright v. Bernstein, 23 N.J. 284, 295 (1957); see also State v. Singletary, 80 N.J. at 62. When such denial is not waived by conduct, it is per se prejudicial. Wright v. Bernstein, 23 N.J. at 295.
As a general rule it has been held in other jurisdictions that jurors may be questioned on voir dire respecting their interest in or connection with liability insurance companies, provided that counsel acts in good faith.1 See generally Annot., 40 A.L.R.Fed. 541, 562 (1978); Annot., 4 A.L.R.2d 761, 792 (1949). Good faith *351requires that any examination of jurors must not be designed to inform them that someone other than the defendant will pay any judgment. 21 J. Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice, § 12815 at 780 (1962).
The Court today maintains that specific questioning of prospective jurors “as to possible stockholding or employment in an insurance company” is inappropriate “[ajbsent some indication that a basis therefor exists.” Ante at 347-348. In essence, the majority requires that counsel demonstrate his good faith by some prima facie showing of one or more jurors’ connections with the business of insurance before asking whether he had been employed by a casualty insurance company.
This rule places a nearly impossible burden on counsel who seek to have these questions asked on voir dire. Apart from voir dire examination itself, the sole source of juror information available to counsel is the prospective juror list. As presently designed, it provides but scant information on the juror’s residence and occupation. Designations such as “clerk,” “secretary” or “accountant” reveal nothing pertinent to counsel’s concerns. Unless a juror described his own occupation as, for example, “claims adjuster” or “insurance,” the list would afford no indication of any connection with the insurance industry. Nor does the list indicate whether a juror is a stockholder of an insurance company, or has been associated with the insurance business in the past. Thus as a practical matter, counsel can persuade the court to question prospective jurors as to their ties to the insurance business only if counsel already has the answers. Under the majority’s view, voir dire examinations become little more than an empty formality. Counsel is unable to use the procedure to discover information crucial for selecting an impartial jury. See N.J.S.A. 2A:78-4.
Although a prospective juror’s occupation may ordinarily be inquired into on voir dire, the majority fails to explain how counsel may uncover a juror’s stock ownership in an insurance *352company. “It is not enough * * * to grant the rights of peremptory challenge and challenge for cause and then limit the factual basis for their use to the visible appearance of the jurors and the scant information on the jury list of their residence and occupation.” Kiernan v. Van Schaik, 347 F.2d 775, 781 (3d Cir. 1965). Apparently the majority considers it sufficient that each juror is asked “whether [he or she] know[s] of any reason why [one] ‘could not act fairly and impartially as judges of the facts in this case.’ ” Ante at 328. I do not believe that a prospective juror is so alert to his own prejudices that he would reveal his ties to the insurance business in response to such a general question. Cf. United States v. Dellinger, 472 F.2d 340, 367 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. den. 410 U.S. 970, 93 S.Ct. 1443, 35 L.Ed.2d 706 (1973).
The primary reason that the Court today restricts the voir dire inquiry is the belief that such questions unduly stress the fact of insurance coverage, thus possibly influencing the jury’s findings. See ante at 348. I consider it unlikely that questions relating to insurance would so unavoidably emphasize the fact of coverage as to induce jurors to render excessive verdicts. “[T]he general prevalence of liability insurance for automobile injuries is known to the jurors;2 hence, for the law to forbid any disclosure of it in the course of the trial seems to be merely a piece of hypocritical futility.” 2 J. Wigmore, Evidence, § 282a at 146 (3d ed. 1940) (footnote added). I agree with the position taken by the United States Court of Appeals of the Third Circuit in Kiernan v. Van Schaik, supra :
*353[T]he inquiry whether a prospective juror is a stockholder or employee of a casualty insurance company or is employed as a claims investigator or insurance adjuster, or is an insurance company agent, is relevant in ascertaining bias against one claiming damages for negligence. * * * Such a relevant matter may not be shut out because it deals with insurance. The word “insurance” is not outlawed from the courtroom as a word of magical evil. Jurors are not unaware that insurance is at large in the world and its mention will not open to them a previously unknown realm. * * * The court has wide control over the voir dire and can adequately safeguard the inquiry by explaining to the jurors the limited scope and purpose of the examination and thus eliminate any implication of the existence or relevance of insurance in the case before it. [347 F.2d at 782 (footnote omitted)]
The majority’s perspective dates from an earlier time. “When the rule against disclosure of insurance originated doubtless the existence of such protection for defendants was exceptional and a ‘hush, hush’ policy could be effective.” McCormick, Evidence, § 201 at 481 (2d ed. 1972). Today, however, liability insurance coverage is a commonplace fact of life. “It is time for a reappraisal of this insurance bugaboo. * * * This insurance rule, built upon the theory of prejudice against corporations and especially insurance corporations, has largely outlived its purpose and its justification.” Causey v. Cornelius, 164 Cal.App.2d 269, 330 P.2d 468, 472 (Dist.Ct.App.1958). The majority errs by failing to realize that the danger to plaintiffs of jurors biased towards insurance companies is probably as great as the danger to defendants that a jury will be corrupted by the passing mention of the word “insurance.” To avoid this equally likely source of prejudice, the balance must be struck in favor of open interrogation. See J. Wigmore, Evidence, supra, § 282a at 146-147.
The method by which the insurance questions are posed to the jury can go far towards lessening any possible prejudicial impact. For example, the entire venire could be examined when they are first assembled, before a panel is drawn for any particular case. See Comment, 52 Harv.L.Rev. 166 (1938). The trial court could later caution the jurors that such questions do *354not imply that a defendant is insured or that the presence or absence of coverage is to be considered in reaching a verdict. See Kiernan v. Van Schaik, 347 F.2d at 782. The most desirable and least threatening solution to this problem would be the inclusion of insurance-related information in the prospective juror list. A trial court could then properly refuse voir dire examination regarding a juror’s insurance ties unless that list indicated their existence.
In summary, plaintiffs should be able to discover any prospective juror’s connections with the insurance business during the selection process. Only then will counsel have an adequate opportunity to interpose challenges for cause successfully and exercise peremptory challenges with informed prudence. I would therefore hold that the trial court erred in refusing to grant plaintiff’s request to question prospective jurors during voir dire examination.
Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justice SCHREIBER join in this dissent.

Counsel has been permitted to inquire into the prospective juror’s connection with the insurance industry, see, e. g., Wichmann v. United Disposal, Inc., 553 F.2d 1104 (8th Cir. 1977); Milwaukee Gear Company v. Charles Benjamin, Inc., 466 F.2d 588 (3d Cir. 1972); Kiernan v. Van Schaik, 347 F.2d 775 (3d Cir. 1965), or any connection with the insurance company interested in the outcome of the specific case, see, e. g., Jones v. Crawford, 361 So.2d 518 (Ala.Sup.Ct. 1978); Chrisler v. Holiday Valley, Inc., 580 S.W.2d 309 (Mo.Ct.App.1979). Courts have also allowed questioning on whether individual jurors are policyholders of a mutual insurance company involved in the case, see, e. g., Borkoski v. Yost, 594 P.2d 688 (Mont.Sup.Ct.1979), or even whether they believed that the size of jury verdicts in personal injury cases affected automobile liability insurance premiums, see, e. g., King v. Westlake, 572 S.W.2d 841 (Ark.Sup.Ct.1978).

Indeed, insurance companies have themselves resorted to media advertising to remind members of the public of the widespread incidence of liability insurance. Cognizant, no doubt, of the public’s service on civil juries, insurers also call attention to an asserted relationship between jury verdicts and general premium levels. There is little danger that a judge will prejudice a jury by informing it of what insurance companies publicly advertise.