§ 653 When challenge taken.

This rule explains when a lawyer can object to a juror and ask that they be removed from the case. That objection is called a "challenge." The rule says challenges have to happen once the full jury panel is in the room. As soon as one juror is removed through a challenge, someone new takes their spot, and this process keeps going until both sides have used up their challenges or decided not to use any more.

There is also a limited exception. If a judge sees a good reason, they can allow a juror to be challenged even after that juror has already been sworn in to hear the case. But this only works up to a point. Once the trial has actually started and the jury has begun hearing evidence, it is too late to challenge that juror.

In short, this rule sets the timing rules for picking a jury. It keeps the process moving in order, gives both sides a fair chance to raise concerns about jurors, and protects the trial from being disrupted once it has truly gotten underway.