Examination of prospective jurors.

Existing law requires the court, in a criminal case, to conduct an initial examination of prospective jurors. Upon completion of this initial examination, existing law grants counsel for each party the right to examine any of the prospective jurors, as specified. Existing law authorizes the court to limit the oral and direct questioning of prospective jurors, as specified. This bill would require a trial judge to permit counsel for each party to conduct a jury examination that is calculated to discover bias or prejudice with regard to the circumstances of a particular case or the parties before the court. The bill would require the scope of the examination conducted by counsel to be within reasonable limits prescribed by the trial judge in the judge's sound discretion, as specified. The bill would also require the trial judge to permit supplemental time for questioning based on individual responses or conduct of jurors that may evince attitudes inconsistent with suitability to serve as a fair and impartial juror in the particular case. The bill would require the trial judge to, in his or her sound discretion, consider the use of reasonable written questionnaires for jury examination when requested by counsel. The bill would also require the trial judge, at the earliest practical time, to provide the parties with the list of prospective jurors in the order in which they will be called to help facilitate the jury selection process.