Rule 24 Trial Jurors

(a) Examination. The court may permit the defendant or his/her attorney or the attorney for the government to conduct the examination of prospective jurors or may itself conduct the examination. In the latter event the court shall permit the defendant or his/her attorney and the attorney for the government to supplement the examination by such further inquiry as it deems proper or shall itself submit to the prospective jurors. such additional questions by the parties or their attorneys as it deems proper.

(b) Peremptory Challen~es. The Government and the defendant are each entitled to five (5) peremptory challenges. If there is more than one defendant, the court shall allow one additional peremptory challenge for each additional defendant. The Government shall be entitled to peremptory challenges equal in number to the total number of peremptory challenges allotted to defendants.

(c) Alternate Jurors. The court may direct that not more than three 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 privileges 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 one peremptory challenge in addition to those otherwise allowed by law if alternate jurors are to be impaneled. 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.