Voir dire

/vwɑːr ˈdɪər/ noun

Definition

The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their qualifications and suitability to serve on a jury. During voir dire, attorneys and judges examine jurors for bias, prejudice, or inability to be impartial.

Etymology

From Old French 'voir dire,' literally meaning 'to speak the truth,' combining 'voir' (to see/speak truly) and 'dire' (to say). The phrase entered English legal terminology through Norman French influence on medieval English courts.

Kelly Says

Voir dire is like speed dating for lawyers and jurors - attorneys get to interview potential jurors to find out who might be secretly biased against their client, and they can actually 'break up' with jurors they don't like!

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