Rule 24 Trial Jurors

(a) Examination. Voir dire of prospective jurors shall be conducted by the Court. The court may permit the defendant or his attorney and the attorney for the government to supplement the examination by such further inquiry as it deems proper or shall itself pose to the prospective jurors such additional questions submitted by the parties or their attorneys as it deems proper.

(b) Peremptory challenges. In the High Court each side is entitled to 6 peremptory challenges. In the District Court each side is entitled to 3 peremptory challenges. If there is more than one defendant, the court may allow the defendants additional peremptory challenges and permit them to be exercised separately or jointly in which cases the prosecution will be entitled to an equal number of challenges.

(c) Alternate Jurors. The court may direct that not more than 3 jurors in addition to the regular jury be called and impanelled to sit as alternate jurors. Alternate jurors in the order in which they are called shall replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury retires to consider its verdict, become or are found to be unable or disqualified to perform their duties. Alternate jurors shall be drawn in the same manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the same examination and challenges, shall take the same oath and shall have the same functions, powers, facilities and privilege as the regular jurors. An alternate juror who does not replace a regular juror shall be discharged after the jury retires to consider its verdict. Each side is entitled to 1 peremptory challenge in addition to those otherwise allowed by law if 1 or 2 alternate jurors are to be impanelled and 2 peremptory challenges if 3 alternate jurors are to be impanelled. The additional peremptory challenges may be used against an alternate juror only, and the other peremptory challenges allowed by these rules may not be used against an alternate juror. Effective May 14, 1984