Art. 799 Number of peremptory challenges

Peremptory challenges let both sides remove potential jurors without giving a reason. This rule sets limits on how many of these challenges each side gets, and the number depends on how serious the crime is.

If someone is on trial for a crime that could lead to the death penalty or requires hard labor in prison, they get twelve peremptory challenges. The state also gets twelve challenges for that same defendant. This gives both sides more chances to shape the jury when the stakes are this high.

For less serious crimes, each defendant gets six peremptory challenges, and the state gets six as well. If there is more than one defendant in a case, the state gets the full number of challenges for each defendant separately, not just one set for the whole trial.