Minnesota Statutes 631.36 – Voir Dire
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At a voir dire examination, a challenged juror may be examined as a witness to prove or disprove the challenge. The juror shall answer every question pertinent to the inquiry. When challenged on the ground that the juror is not a citizen of the United States, the juror’s own testimony is competent evidence of the fact of naturalization, without other evidence. The juror’s testimony on the issue of citizenship may be disputed by the challenger. At a voir dire examination either party may examine other witnesses on either side. The Rules of Evidence applicable to the trial of other issues govern the admission or exclusion of testimony at a voir dire examination.
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 631.36
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Juror: A person who is on the jury.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Voir dire: The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth."