A challenge for cause in voir dire is typically granted by whom?

In the context of voir dire, which is the process of jury selection, a challenge for cause is a request made by an attorney to dismiss a prospective juror based on specific reasons—such as bias or a conflict of interest—that disqualify the individual from serving impartially. The correct response indicates that it is the judge who grants these challenges.

The judge plays a pivotal role in evaluating the validity of the reasons presented for the challenge. This is crucial because challenges for cause require a legal basis for exclusion, relying on the judge’s discretion to determine whether the stated reasons are sufficient to disqualify a juror. This process is essential to ensure the selection of an unbiased jury.

In contrast, peremptory challenges do not require justification and are granted automatically to attorneys within certain limits, which is different from the process for challenges for cause. Additionally, challenges for cause are applicable in both civil and criminal cases, further ruling out options that restrict them to only civil cases. Understanding who has the authority to grant these challenges is fundamental for law students and legal professionals during jury selection.