Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 48:451.10

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Juror: A person who is on the jury.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
  • Voir dire: The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth."

A juror may be challenged for cause based upon any of the following:

(1)  When the juror lacks a qualification required by law;

(2)  When the juror has formed an opinion in the case or is not otherwise impartial, the cause of his bias being immaterial;

(3)  When the relations, whether by blood, marriage, employment, friendship, or enmity, between the juror and any party or his attorney are such that it must be reasonably believed that they would influence the juror in coming to a verdict;

(4)  When the juror served on a previous jury which tried the same case or one arising out of the same facts;

(5)  When the juror refuses to answer a question on the voir dire examination on the ground that his answer might tend to incriminate him.

Acts 1974, Ex.Sess., No. 30, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1975.