2020 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 972. Criminal trials.
972.04 Exercise of challenges.

972.04 Exercise of challenges.

(1) The number of jurors selected shall be prescribed in s. 756.06 (2) (a), unless a lesser number has been stipulated and approved under s. 972.02 (2) or the court orders that additional jurors be selected. That number, plus the number of peremptory challenges available to all the parties, shall be called initially and maintained in the jury box by calling others to replace jurors excused for cause until all jurors have been examined. The parties shall thereupon exercise in their order, the state beginning, the peremptory challenges available to them, and if any party declines to challenge, the challenge shall be made by the clerk by lot.

(2) A party may waive in advance any or all of its peremptory challenges and the number of jurors called pursuant to sub. (1) shall be reduced by this number.

History: 1983 a. 226; 1995 a. 427; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997); 2013 a. 164.

Judicial Council Note, 1983: Sub. (1) is amended by allowing the court to order that additional jurors be impaneled. The size of the panel is then reduced to the appropriate number by lot immediately before final submission if that has not already occurred through death or discharge of a juror. See s. 972.10 (7), stats. Abolition of the concept of “alternate" jurors is intended to promote an attentive attitude and a collegial relationship among all jurors. [Bill 320-S]

Guarantees of open public proceedings in criminal trials include voir dire examinations of potential jurors. Press-Enterprise Co. v. Superior Court of Cal. 464 U.S. 501 (1984).