Opinion
Case No. C4-03-58
October 9, 2003
ORDER ON ATTORNEY-CONDUCTED VOIR DIRE
Summary: The Court granted the Defendant's Motion for Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire, announcing that it has been, and will continue to be, the practice of the Court in both civil and criminal cases to allow counsel approximately twenty (20) minutes to conduct voir dire.
Before the Court is the Defendant's Motion for Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire ( Docket No. 33) that was filed on September 30, 2003. The motion was submitted pursuant to Rule 24(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Counsel for the Defendant has requested the opportunity to examine the prospective members of the jury panel for one (1) hour.
The practice of this Court to allow counsel to take part in the jury selection process. Counsel are afforded the opportunity to "examine" or question prospective jurors during voir dire following the examination conducted by the Court. That has been, and will continue to be, the practice of the Court in both civil and criminal cases. The Court has traditionally allowed counsel approximately twenty (20) minutes to conduct voir dire which is generally more than adequate time if used in an efficient manner. That practice will continue. IT IS SO ORDERED.