2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 3 - Peremptory Challenges.

Article 3.

Peremptory Challenges.

§ 9‑19.� Peremptory challenges in civil cases.

The clerk, before a jury is impaneled to try the issues in any civil suit, shall read over the names of the prospective jurors in the presence and hearing of the parties or their counsel; and the parties, or their counsel for them, may challenge peremptorily eight jurors without showing any cause therefor, and the challenges shall be allowed by the court. (1796, c. 452, s. 2, P.R.; 1812, c. 833, P.R.; R.C., c. 31, s. 35; Code, s. 406; Rev., s. 1964; C.S., s. 2331; 1935,� c. 475, s. 1; 1965, c. 1182; 1967, c. 218, s. 1.)

 

§ 9‑20.� Civil cases having several defendants; challenges apportioned; discretion of judge.

When there are two or more defendants in a civil action, the presiding judge, if it appears that there are antagonistic interests between the defendants, may in his discretion apportion among the defendants the challenges now allowed by law, or he may increase the number of challenges to not exceeding six for each defendant or class of defendants representing the same interest. In either event, the same number of challenges shall be allowed each defendant or class of defendants representing the same interest. The decision of the judge as to the nature of the interests and number of challenges shall be final. (1905, c. 357; Rev., s. 1965; C.S., s. 2332; 1967, c. 218, s. 1.)

 

§ 9‑21.� Peremptory challenges in criminal cases governed by Chapter 15A.

Peremptory challenges in criminal cases are governed by Article 72, Selecting and Impaneling the Jury, of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes. (22 Hen. VIII, c. 14, s. 6; 33 Edw. I, c. 4; 1777, c. 115, s. 85, P.R.; 1801, c. 592, s. 1, P.R.; 1812, c. 833, P.R.; 1826, c. 9; 1827, c. 10; R.S., c. 35, ss. 19, 21; R.C., c. 35, ss. 32, 33; 1871‑2, c. 39; Code, ss. 1199, 1200; 1887, c. 53; Rev., ss. 3263,� 3264; 1907, c. 415; 1913, c. 31, ss. 3, 4; C.S., ss. 4633, 4634; 1935, c. 475, ss. 2, 3; 1967, c. 218, s. 1; 1969, c. 205, s. 7; 1971, c. 75; 1977, c. 711, s. 14.)