voir dire

French for t o speak the truth , voir dire is the process through which potential jurors are questioned by either the judge or a lawyer to determine their suitability for jury service. It is used to excuse prospective jurors deemed incapable of fulfilling juror obligations , such as impartiality.

Voir dire also involves the preliminary questioning of witnesses (especially experts) to determine their competence to testify.

In the case of Stewart v. State , the Maryland Court of Appeals reviewed voir dire principles.

[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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