Court Opinion

ID: 9853726
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 05:53:10.610882+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:03.333478
License: Public Domain

BIRD, C. J., Concurring.
I agree with the result reached by the majority that the state’s use of peremptory challenges to remove prospective jurors on the sole ground of race violates the right to trial by jury drawn from a representative cross-section of the community under article I, section 16 of the California Constitution. I do not believe that the state can systematically exclude blacks from serving on a jury by the selective use of the peremptory challenge by the state’s representative, i.e., the prosecutor. However, I do not concur in the dicta in the majority opinion which suggest other restrictions on the use of peremptory challenges. The peremptory challenge is not a challenge for cause. The distinction between the two should not be blurred in our attempt to stop an unconstitutional practice.