UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS - WESTERN DIVISION
JUDGE PHILIP G. REINHARD
PROCEDURE FOR EXAMINATION OF JURORS IN A CRIMINAL CASE
United States District Judge Philip G. Reinhard will examine
you concerning your qualifications to serve as jurors. You are to
truthfully and completely answer each question asked of you. It is
important that each juror be fair and impartial in the case called
for trial. Accordingly, the purpose of the court's questioning is
to bring to the attention of the court and counsel any potential
bias or prejudice of a juror and to provide as much information
about a juror as possible in the selection process.
The following is a list of questions which normally may be
asked of the jurors either as a whole or individually. Please read
these potential questions so that you may be prepared to answer and
disclose any matter relevant to the inquiries. The court may ask
additional questions not listed below.
1. The lawyers, the defendant and any other person at counsel
table will be introduced. Does any prospective juror know any
of these persons or their family?
2. The jurors will be read a short statement of the nature of
the case. From the brief information I have given you, has
any prospective juror ever heard or read of this case?
3. Is there anything about the nature of this case as I have
described it to you that would make it difficult for you to be
fair to both sides?
4. This is a criminal case. The defendant is presumed
innocent, he does not have to prove anything or offer any
evidence. The government must prove him guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt. Does anyone disagree with those principles?
5. The trial in this case will last about ____ days. Will
this fact make it impossible for any prospective juror to be
fair to both sides in this case or to serve as a juror?
6. A list of potential witnesses will be read. Is any juror
acquainted with the potential witnesses?
7. Does any juror have any physical condition which might
hinder his or her ability to serve as a juror in this case?
8. Does any juror have any personal, moral or religious belief
that would prevent you from determining the guilt or innocence
of a person accused of a crime?
9. Is there any juror who for some reason believes he or she
could not be a fair and impartial juror in this case?
10. Your name and age.
11. Your present address, how long resided there and all other
addresses where you have resided in the last 10 years.
12. Where were you born and raised?
13. Marital status (if unmarried, do you live with anyone)?
14. Children? If so, sex, age and if living with you?
15. Educational background?
16. Any military service?
17. Your present employer, where located and your job title
(if retired or unemployed, how long, and employment previous
to that)?
18. How long worked at present employment and any other
employment during the last 10 years?
19. Spouse's present and past employment (or employment of any
other person residing with you)?
20. Children's present employment?
21. Have you ever been an officer or employee of the United
States Government? Has any family member (spouse, parents,
children, brothers, sisters and close relatives)?
22. Any prior jury experience in criminal or civil cases?
23. Have you or any family member ever served as a law
enforcement officer?
24. Any close friends in law enforcement?
25. Have you or any member of your family been a victim of a
crime (whether person later charged or not)?
26. Have you or a family member been a witness in a criminal
case for the prosecution or the defense?
27. Have you or any family member been charged with a
criminal offense other than a traffic offense?
28. Have you or any family member ever been involved in
litigation with the Federal Government or any Federal agency?
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29. What clubs or organizations do you belong to?
30. The government must prove the defendant guilty of the
offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt, will you require
them to do so and if they don't, will you return a verdict of
not guilty? If on the other hand, the government does prove
beyond a reasonable doubt a charge against the defendant,
would you return a verdict of guilty as to that charge?
31. Do you realize your function is to decide the facts and
render a verdict from the testimony of witnesses and other
evidence without speculation, prejudice or sympathy?
32. Do you understand that in deciding the facts you may hear
conflicting evidence and you must determine the credibility of
the witnesses?
33. Do you understand that a witness' status, whether he or
she is a law enforcement officer, a public official, or in a
position of prominence in the community is not necessarily any
more or less worthy of belief simply because of that status?
34. Have you or any family member had any encounter with the
FBI that would affect your ability to consider the testimony
of an FBI Special Agent as you would any other witness?
35. Will you follow all the instructions of law I give you
whether you agree with them or not?
36. If you were the U.S. Attorney here or the defense counsel
or a defendant, do you know of any reason why you would not be
content to have your case tried by someone in your frame of
mind?
37. Can you think of any other matter, reason, belief or
question I have failed to ask that you should call to my
attention which may have some bearing on your ability to serve
as a fair and impartial juror or would prevent you from
determining the guilt or innocence of a person accused of a
crime?
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