Opinion
03-24-2014
In re: AMENDMENT TO THE OKLAHOMA UNIFORM DISTRICT COURT RULES, 12 O.S. Ch. 2, App.
NOTICE: THIS OPINION HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION. UNTIL RELEASED, IT IS SUBJECT TO REVISION OR WITHDRAWAL.
ORDER ADOPTING AMENDMENT TO
RULES FOR DISTRICT COURTS OF OKLAHOMA
¶1 The Court has reviewed the recommendation of the Oklahoma Supreme Committee for Uniform Jury Instructions that the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma be amended by creation of new Rule 32.
¶2 The hereby adopts new Rule 32 for the District Courts, and it is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that new Rule 32, as set out herein shall be included and codified as Rule 32 of the Rules for the District Courts of Oklahoma, 12 O.S.2001, Ch. 2, App., Rule 32.
¶3 New Rule 32 shall be effective sixty (60) days from the date this Order is filed with the Clerk of this Court.
¶4 New District Court Rule 32 states as follows:
Rule 32. Juror Questionnaires
When juror questionnaires are used at a trial, access to the questionnaires by the parties must be balanced against the juror's right to privacy and to the confidentiality of the information in the questionnaires. Copies of the questionnaires shall be made available only for use during voir dire to attorneys for the parties and to the trial court. All copies shall be destroyed at the conclusion of voir dire. The original questionnaires of all jurors shall be sealed by the District Court and retained, but not made part of the public record.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2014.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Colbert, C.J., Reif, V.C.J., Kauger, Watt, Edmondson, Combs and Gurich, JJ., - concur,
Winchester, J. - concurs in result,
Taylor, J. - concurs in part and dissents in part.
I would adopt all of the recommendations of the OUJI-CIV committee.