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Challenge

1.  In general, any expressed doubt about the qualification of a person for some task, or about the legality of an action or thing. 

2.  With respect to juries, a party's request to dismiss a potential juror - or even an entire jury panel that has been aseembled thus far.  See Challenge for cause, Challenge to the array, and Peremptory challenge.

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary

When selecting a jury, the right of each party to request that a potential juror be excused. There may be a "challenge for cause" on the basis the juror had admitted prejudice or shows some obvious conflict of interest (for example, the juror used to work for the defendant) which the judge must resolve. More common is the ""peremptory challenge,"" which is a request that a juror be excused without stating a reason. Each side is normally allowed a limited number of peremptory challenges.

Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.

August 19, 2010, 5:12 pm

 

1.  Admissibility of evidence may be challenged on the basis of a hearsay rule.  A candidate for public office may be challenged for lack of minimum experience.

2.  A potential jury member may be challenged and excluded for evidence of bias or prejudice against the defendant's race.